6 Things People In The World’s Happiest Countries Do Differently

Work is important for people's wellbeing — but in happy countries, they utilize time off. "In Nordic countries, it is expected that workers use their vacation, and they are offered several weeks of it each year," Jennifer Sweeton, Psy.D., M.S., M.A, tells Bustle. "These vacations allow people to spend more quality time with family, get out of the daily grind to reconnect with hobbies and interests, and encourage people to live a life consistent with values other than just work."

People in the happiest countries tend to be active without looking at their exercise as a chore. "It is not uncommon for people in Nordic countries to bike to work — or walk — instead of driving," says Sweeton. "Exercise has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing depression and anxiety symptoms even when not combined with therapy or psychiatric medications."

Diet plays a role in mental health, and countries that rank high in happiness tend to eat a certain way, particularly the Mediterranean Diet. "Lots of fish and nuts and a good olive oil seem to go a long way towards boosting your mood and preventing Alzheimer’s disease," Dr. Alan Schlechter, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, tells Bustle.

People in happy countries also make time for hobbies they enjoy. "By adulthood, most people report the majority of the activities that used to bring them joy as young adults (a sport, some passion outside of work) are just a memory," says Dr. Schlechter. "It takes a lot of effort to organize but is essential to our well-being. With your free time, do the things that invigorate you."

In many of these countries, time spent with others is prioritized, whether it's sitting and lounging at a coffee shop or regularly sharing meals with family. "As Americans, our 'connection' with friends is often limited to texting and social media," neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez tells Bustle. "In other countries, visiting friends at their homes for dinner or drinks is more common. It is the face-to-face contact and connection that enriches people."

Relationships are important to happiness, and several surveys have found that the majority of people living in these countries report believing that others are trustworthy. "Believing in others' goodness and trustworthiness strengthens social relationships and may be one reason that social support is also found to be high in these countries," says Sweeton. "Interestingly, high perceived social support has been found to be a protective factor against mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression."

You don't have to pick up and move to improve your happiness. Instead, adopt some of these habits of people in the world's happiest countries.