Sæther has given lectures on happiness for almost 30 years, and is currently working on a new happiness guide. He believes we tend to misunderstand what brings true joy. – We often think that happiness is a holiday, pleasure or a good dinner. Sometimes it leads us astray. According to him, there are completely different things that will make us happy. – For example, taking responsibility, saying things that are difficult or doing something that requires something from me. It gives a completely different pleasure. NORDMENN MISUNDERSTAND: We are looking for joy in the wrong place, says Arnt Sæther. Photo: Privat Badeland, coffee and money – When I’m at a water park with my children, I think: “Now life is great!”, says Henrik Årdal. It is not difficult for people to answer what makes them happy. – Money! I have to be honest, says Sara Nilsen Myren with a laugh. For her friend Carina Isabell Johamsvær, the little things help to create joy. – I have to say that coffee makes the day go round, she replies. FILM AND COFFEE: The two friends Katharina Ottesen Bjerkenes and Carina Isabell Johamsvær say that coffee and a film make them happy. Photo: Jon Petrusson / news TIME WITH THE CHILDREN: Henrik Årdal thinks life is at its best when he is at a water park with his children. Photo: Jon Petrusson / news MATERIALISTIC JOY: Sara Nilsen Myren (on the left) is happy with money. Sander Olsen Helgesen and Isabell Vindenes Engan answer that friends make them happy. Photo: Jon Petrusson / news I think we need to focus on the good things. All these things should be held on to in the times we are in now with a heavy news image. That’s the opinion of Ragnhild Bang Nes, who researches quality of life at the Institute of Public Health. MUST FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE: Psychologist and researcher Ragnhild Bang Nes believes we must shine a spotlight on the things that are going well. Photo: Astrid Waller / Astrid Waller – Something that is very important is to put a spotlight on what is going well, she says and continues: – Sometimes it can be quite difficult because we are overwhelmed by darkness, news and worries. Both here and internationally. Encourages people to use their commitment The last few years have been a lot about the pandemic, climate crisis and economic downturns. Not least, the war between Hamas and Israel has dominated the news in recent weeks. CALL: Espen Røysamb believes we must use the despair we feel for something good. Photo: University of Oslo Professor of psychology at the University of Oslo, Espen Røysamb, believes that it is right that we are affected by the news. – It would be wrong if we weren’t, said Røysamb in an interview on Dagsrevyen on Monday evening. Nevertheless, Røysamb encouraged people to try to use the sad feelings for something positive. – The commitment that can grow out of despair creates meaning. Norway has fallen on the happiness index In recent years, Norway has fallen several places on the UN’s happiness index, which ranks countries according to how happy the population is. In 2017, we ended up in second place. We have now moved down to seventh place. That makes us the least happy country in the Nordics, according to the happiness index. Ragnhild Bang Nes thinks one explanation could be that Norwegians are less equipped to withstand bad economic times than other countries. DROP DOWN: Earlier this year, it became known that Norway is in seventh place on the list of the world’s happiest countries. Photo: Screenshot / UN It is because we have been on an economic upswing since the 1970s, she says. – So it may be that we tolerate those worries less. We have been safe and sound for a very long time, and have been on a sort of upswing. Good relationships are fundamental According to Bang Nes, good relationships are absolutely central to feeling happy. – This with feeling that we are part of the herd. Do good things with and for others. That is perhaps one of the most important things. It would seem that people on the street agree with that. VISIT HIS WIFE: Erik Anker is happy to visit his spouse in the nursing home where she lives. – When I feel that I care for others and others care for me, says Bjørnar Bjørgum about what makes him happy. – When my dear spouse recognizes me and smiles when I visit her in the nursing home, says Erik Anker.
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Norwegians are less happy than before, according to the UN – news Culture and Entertainment
