The first-ever UN conference on happiness was held in 2012, and the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 20 to be the International Day of Happiness every year. It was first time commemorated in 2013. International Happiness Day has a different theme annually, such as relationships, Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind and reclaiming happiness. This year 2022, the theme is ‘Build Back Happier’, which will focus on the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In life, we’ve all had our fair share of ruthless days. Maybe you had a heated argument with a boss or family member, or maybe you feel that you were on the edge of being overwhelmed by negative events or burdens in your life. Stop and think for a minute about how you behave when you’re really angry, upset or depressed. You’ve likely said and done a number of things that you regret later because you were basing your actions on your emotions, not logic. But making choices based on rational thinking alone doesn't always result in good decisions. We make our best decisions in life when we balance our emotions with rational thinking. We are not computers, but rather human beings with feelings and emotions. To regulate our bodies, we must use both our emotions and our brains. Take a seat, take a deep breath, and read through the lines I've compiled.

We work hard in today's fast-paced society to get the best of everything, but happiness is still far away. When people learn to be satisfied with them, anxiety levels naturally decrease, and they gain a greater understanding of themselves and others. As a result, a joyful creature with better insight has a stronger desire for self-discovery and less self-deception. As Joseph Murphy puts it-“A magnetised piece of iron will lift about twelve times its weight. But if you demagnetise this same piece of iron, it will not lift even a feather”. Similarly, there are people who are upbeat and those who are depressed. Magnetized people are full of life and faith. They understand that they were born to be joyful and to share that happiness with others. On the other hand, some are demagnetised. They are filled with gloom, unhappiness, unresolved emotional difficulties, and depression, all of which deplete their vigour and capacity to function creatively. The ability to regard oneself as a survivor and fighter rather than a victim is the first and most important step on the path to happiness. It is critical to understand that time does not heal anything; how we cope with it determines how quickly we heal.

Small behavioural changes can sometimes make a big difference in achieving happiness. Here are some highlights of what Sydney Smith said: "Try to make at least one person happy every day, and in 10 years you might have made three thousand, six hundred, or fifty individuals happy, or brightened a small town with your contribution to the general enjoyment fund." It will take your mind off your difficulties, and you will feel good knowing that you helped someone else. Those who believe they are contributing to humanity's well-being tend to be happier in their life. It’s hard to feel upset when you’re serving hungry people or spending time with elderly residents in a home. Commit a random act of kindness. Doing a good deed can make your day more significant. "The simplest technique to brighten oneself up is to try to cheer someone else up," Mark Twain once stated.

Every negative thought causes the mind-body link to deteriorate. So, maintaining the resilient association make a concerted attempt to exercise. Physical or mental activity can help you focus on something other than your misfortune. You can change your mind by exercising, taking a class, reading a book, or taking up a new activity. The key to feeling better is to figure out which behaviours will help you feel better. Because the same behavioural alteration will not work for everyone, it may be a process of trial and error. If what you're doing now isn't working, try something new. If you never take a step in the right direction, you'll stay exactly where you are. Consider what makes you cheerful rather than what makes you wretched; consider the constructive and true side of humanity rather than the destructive; consider the blessings that surround you rather than the ones that are denied. As a final point, Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, "For every minute you are furious, you lose sixty seconds of happiness."

(The Writer is Research Scholar, Department Of Education, Kashmir University)