We’ve long speculated about the key to finding authentic happiness.

Denmark, along with other Northern European nations offer a wide range of social services. There’s seemingly little internal conflict, trust in government, little separation between the rich and the poor–while these are potential motivators of authentic happiness, what if it was more than that? What if happiness also came down to Danish DNA?

Scientists have uncovered genetic traits that may hold a clue as to why the Danes are so smiley all the time. Each year polls and surveys alike name Denmark among the happiest nations. And after looking at international surveys from 131 countries,  researchers are suggesting that genetics may play a role.

“The results were surprising, we found that the greater a nation’s genetic distance from Denmark, the lower the reported wellbeing of that nation,” said Eugenio Proto, one of the researchers, in a news release, reported in World Science Report. “Our research adjusts for many other influences including Gross Domestic Product, culture, religion and the strength of the welfare state and geography.”

Researchers looked at studies that suggested a link between authentic happiness and a mutation of a gene that influences the reuptake of serotonin. Of 30 nations studied, Denmark and the Netherlands had the highest percentage of people with this variant gene.

“This study has used three kinds of evidence and, contrary to our own assumptions when we began the project, it seems there are reasons to believe that genetic patterns may help researchers to understand international well-being levels,” said Andrew Oswald, one of the researchers on World Science Report. “More research in the area is now needed and economists and social scientists may need to pay greater heed to the role of genetic variation across national populations.”

What do you think? Is there a happiness gene? And is that gene tied to location?

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Want Authentic Happiness? 4 Good Habits That Will Change Your Life

Image: Tenel Teemusk

The post Authentic Happiness in Denmark Linked to DNA appeared first on EcoSalon.

Authentic happiness comes with good habits and it’s the simple things that can change your life. When life hits you with a set back, go right back to the good habits that brought you happiness and peace in the first place.

Finding happiness and bliss in this life can be difficult with all the distractions that are constantly pulling us off track. But a few simple tried and true methods can change your life.

1. Fake it until your make it.

If you want authentic happiness, act like it. While it seems counterintuitive, it makes sense. I want to be a positive person that sees the goodness in everybody even though sometimes I don’t feel that way. But feelings follow actions so if you act like you love everyone even when want to make a disparaging comment, you’ll feel much better for it. If you want to be peaceful, act like it and eventually, you’ll begin to find more peace and balance in your life.

2. Learn to single-task.

One of the most important good habits that you can have is understanding that multi-tasking is overrated. In the end, you just do a bunch of things ineffectively. If you focus on one task at a time, you’ll end up doing that task much better. I like to start my day with about five things that I absolutely have to get done. I won’t stop working until I’ve accomplished those tasks. I work through my list one at a time. Single-tasking also means that my mind doesn’t move off task at all–that means no Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, texting, or checking my bank account while I’m accomplishing a task. It allows for focus and mindfulness. In a sense, you’re meditating while you’re working.

3. Make every day a holiday.

This is your life so it seems a little depressing that you would only have two weekend days per week. Work is essential for most of us, but authentic happiness is about finding goodness in every day. Find focus and peace in what you’re working on and don’t get caught in a rut. As a writer, I’ll checkout a different coffee shop, take a walk on the beach, or ride my bike to break up the day. In the end, you don’t want your life to be separated into work and play. Find a balance so that there’s a little play in every day.

4. Be positive.

Try and be positive for as much of your life as you can. Don’t say negative things about people or things. Try and find gratitude each and every day. You’ll notice that every time you say something bad about someone else, you feel bad for saying it. While it’s no easy task, being positive will change your life and bring authentic happiness.

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The post Want Authentic Happiness? 4 Good Habits That Will Change Your Life appeared first on EcoSalon.

The best of the week at EcoSalon, hand-picked for your clicking pleasure.

How are you? We’ve spent the week mostly bemused by…

…the concept of Gross National Happiness (although admittedly it does sound a fun way to govern people).

…the way the House is starting to sound like a live-action roleplaying game – except, you know, with the welfare of millions of women at stake.

…how complicated diamonds can be.

…how easy it is to forget what’s in diet soda.

…all those condoms used in the Olympics. (Yes indeed).

The post The Friday 5: Raising An Eyebrow Edition appeared first on EcoSalon.