It’s certainly a day to be joyful. Joy is a basic objective for humanity. The United Nations General Assembly acknowledges this objective and advocates for “a more inclusive, fair, and balanced strategy for economic growth that enhances the happiness and welfare of all individuals.”

Governments and international entities ought to allocate resources toward creating conditions that enhance happiness by safeguarding human rights and integrating well-being and environmental aspects into policy frameworks, like the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The ability of governments to maintain peace and social order, along with their performance in taxation, legal systems, and provision of public services, is closely linked to overall life satisfaction.

The United Nations encourages individuals of all ages, as well as every classroom, business, and government, to participate in the celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

When will the International Day of Happiness be in 2025?

The International Day of Happiness is a worldwide celebration organized by the United Nations each year on March 20. It reminds us that happiness is a fundamental human right and deserves to be celebrated- and if you’re not feeling happy today, the festivities might alter that!

Background of International Happiness Day

A celebration known as International Day of Happiness might seem somewhat childish to those unfamiliar with it. You might be envisioning kids singing ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’ or individuals joyfully dancing beneath a cheerful sun and rainbows. While you’re not completely mistaken- who wouldn’t enjoy a fun sing-along — the reality is that this enjoyable day encompasses far more than just happiness and positive energy.

We observe International Day of Happiness due to the efforts of the United Nations and its partner nonprofit organization Action for Happiness, made up of individuals from 160 nations. The primary aim of the movement is to raise awareness that advancement involves not just boosting profits and promoting economic development, but also well-being and human happiness. In 2011, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring that prioritizing happiness should be a “fundamental human goal” alongside economic opportunity. In 2013, two years later, all 193 UN member states marked the inaugural International Day of Happiness, which has continued to expand ever since.

With Pharrell Williams’s ‘Happy’ playing on repeat, take a moment this March 20th to reflect on what genuinely brings you joy and how you can chase it.

Timeline of International Happiness Day

July 12, 2012 International Day of Happiness is established- Devised by United Nations special advisor Jayme Illien, the holiday was founded during the inaugural UN conference on Happiness.
March 20, 2013 International Day of Happiness is celebrated- The inaugural International Day of Happiness was observed, initiated by Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton during the TedXTeen conference in New York City.
March 20, 2014 Pharrell releases “Happy” music video- To celebrate the holiday, Pharrell launches the 24-hour music video for his track “Happy.”
February 15, 2017 The Smurfs join the United Nations- The United Nations reveals a collaboration with the Smurfs to support the promotion of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the 2017 International Day of Happiness.

International Day of Happiness Around the World

Country	Holiday	Occasion	Date
Japan	Coming of Age Day	The day celebrates individuals who have recently turned 20 and embraced adulthood.	Second Monday of January
China	Mid-Autumn Festival	The citizens of China joyfully commemorate the harvest.	15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar
India	Diwali	India’s largest festival brings joy and happiness among friends and family.	Date varies according to the Hindu calendar
Ghana	National Chocolate Day	Chocolate and joy are closely connected on this day.	February 14
Brazil	Dia dos Namorados	Valentine’s Day is observed with much excitement.	June 12

Traditions of International Day of Happiness

Each person has their unique understanding of happiness or specific things that bring them joy, which is why there are no fixed traditions for this day. Happiness involves being satisfied and not pretending to feel differently, so whatever brings you joy, embrace it! Having inner happiness is essential for being content with your environment, so push yourself and welcome new individuals and experiences. Value the small details, and appreciate all that exists in that moment.

Activities for International Day of Happiness

Make it a point to be social

People are social beings. If you’ve delayed planning a gathering with your friends, or have declined outings a bit too frequently lately, consider changing this pattern. Step outside, enjoy yourself, have a good time, avoid treating your day too seriously, and you might discover your stress levels decrease and remain low from this single encounter. Grinning and chuckling are some of the top ways to ease stress, and the greatest part is that they cost nothing!

Get informed

Work-related stress and unhappiness, along with the economic climate, health and safety concerns, and various other factors can become a significant burden for anyone. However, by engaging in some reading about well-being, mindfulness, and various methods to connect with what truly matters, you might begin to adopt a fresh perspective on life.

Make a list

A simple yet effective way to feel content is to create a list. More precisely, write down five things that genuinely bring you joy. And contemplate this thoroughly. After you jot down five items, make sure to incorporate at least one of them, in some way, into your daily routine. In this manner, the impacts of the International Day of Happiness can continue throughout the entire year.

Facts About International Day of Happiness

Recover quickly

People who are happier are less prone to catching the common cold.

Pause and appreciate the flowers

Ignoring spring allergies, floral fragrances boost your happiness.

Not every smile is identical

Researchers have identified 18 distinct categories of smiles, ranging from pleasure to embarrassment.

Are we able to keep him?

Interacting with or petting an animal reduces stress and feelings of depression.

Reasons we Cherish International Day of Happiness

Happiness is not guaranteed

The World Health Organization estimates that around 300 million individuals are presently experiencing depression, while many others are struggling with undiagnosed unhappiness in their lives. As pressure to thrive in a fast-moving, global society increases, many individuals neglect their well-being, potentially leading to significant repercussions for both themselves and their environment. It’s time to focus on happiness.

Grins are beneficial

Numerous studies have connected something as straightforward as smiling to enhanced mood, reduced stress, and increased enjoyment. Additionally, these responses result in increased smiling, establishing a positive cycle. Hence, on International Day of Happiness, even if you must force a smile, science indicates that the positive feelings you will soon experience are genuine.

It spreads easily

Research indicates that enhancing your own mood might be as straightforward as uplifting the spirits of those around you. By examining the most shared content online and what tends to “go viral,” researchers have found that uplifting, joyful, and humorous posts are disseminated significantly more than negative ones. In this cycle of exponential growth, a single positive message in one nation could elevate the morale of a whole group in a different country.

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