Lithuania is the happiest country in the world for people under 30

Every year, the World Happiness Report releases an annual ranking of the world’s happiest countries. Finland took the overall top spot for the seventh consecutive year.

However, the top ranking for people under 30 went to Lithuania.

“I think that’s surprising,” says Junona Armonaitiene, associate professor at the Department of Health Psychology at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. “From the U.S. perspective, it’s somewhere near Russia,” she said, an area often associated with danger.

“Lithuania regained its independence not that long ago, in 1990,” said Antanas Kailis, associate professor at the Faculty of General Psychology at Vilnius University. “It means that young people under the age of 30 have lived their entire lives in independent Lithuania, while other age groups… have experienced harsh realities. [the] soviet union. “

Since then, Lithuania’s economy has improved along with national relations, and in 2004 Lithuania joined NATO and became a member of the European Union. Lithuania is…a strong, secure and modern democracy,” Kailis said.

But in other aspects A country’s culture and norms help promote young people’s well-being. Our experts outline some below.

People sense opportunity.

According to Kailis from Lithuania,economic growth of Not only in the sense of young People have more money overall, but it’s future opportunity for them.

“That means they have the opportunity to choose between education, travel and leisure activities.In fact, if you look at Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, there are young people everywhere and they are doing what they want to do. I can see it,” Kailis said.

Another major door opener is education. Lithuanian learn new things skill and input different careers. “We have very high-level talent with college degrees,” Kailis said.

They prioritize time with family and loved ones.

“Family ties are still very strong in our country,” Armonaitiene said. In fact, many young people live with their parents. Even if you work or go to school in another part of the country, Lithuania is small enough that you can easily visit your hometown.

Additionally, older Lithuanians are known to be protective of their children, Armonaitiene said. “It’s a kind of insurance. Young people always know that they can rely on their parents financially as well,” she said.

It’s well established that social connections are key to happiness, so it’s no surprise that family connections contribute to young people’s well-being.

If social connections are missing in your life, Kailies said, start by joining a volunteer group or finding a hobby you can do with others. This is one of her ways to meet people and foster meaningful relationships.

“If we’re talking about people who have a lot of social connections, then we should probably be thinking about the depth of the connections, not the quantity. [but the] Quality is important,” Kailis said.

Gregory Sullivan, program director for the Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership master’s program at the University of Missouri, has previously referred to this type of connection as a “3 a.m. buddy,” someone you can turn to in the middle of the night for help or advice. He explained. .

They are grateful for the current situation.

Comparison is well known as the thief of joy. please think about it. When you’re scrolling through social media and see a seemingly perfect family living in a huge house, you’re probably looking at a small, messy house from the side. But for young Lithuanians, Kailis says, comparison may actually increase their pleasure.

“I think it’s worth mentioning that historically, we have something to compare with…young people can compare their experiences to those of their parents and grandparents.” he said, adding that the young people’s parents and grandparents had to endure hardships. It was a difficult time, with problems with the Soviet Union.

“We also have some neighboring countries that have far less freedom and opportunity. That also creates the possibility of comparing and feeling that we are very well off,” Kailis said.

Although the United States has not experienced recent history similar to the difficult times faced by Lithuania, you can certainly count on gratitude in your own life. This might mean remembering a previous job where you felt stuck and being proud of your work accomplishments. Or it may mean that you’re happy with the progress you’ve made since your divorce compared to the unfulfilling life you led years ago.

They live in the moment.

For a neighboring country that frequently deals with conflict and unrest, it is natural to feel grateful for the country’s upward trajectory. But it also helps encourage people to appreciate what they have and make the most of it while they can.

“There are also sociological studies that show that many people here in Lithuania fear a possible invasion and are stressed because of the war,” Armonaitiene said. “But as they always do, they try to live their lives for now and not put off good things in the future.”

It’s easy to think that in the future you’ll go on a dream trip or learn a new hobby, but you’ll enjoy it more if you allow yourself to do those things now.

Happiness doesn’t just appear out of thin air; it has to be cultivated. And some of the factors that make people feel good are out of their control.

According to Kailis, it’s not that Lithuanian young people do anything fundamentally different from other young people around the world, but the growth, independence and possibilities that exist in the country give them room to feel good. It is said that it is giving How much better would you feel if the government was uncooperative and there was constant conflict?

Furthermore, Kailis said that this does not mean that the whole country is cheerful, as there are certainly people in Lithuania who are unhappy or who are dealing with mental health issues.

When it comes to happiness, Kailis says it’s important to control what you can and manage what’s difficult to control. You can’t control your own personality traits, for example, whether you experience stress more easily than the average person. However, you can practice meditation and mindfulness to calm your mind. “There are things that cannot be changed, and there are things that can be changed with a little effort or a lot of effort,” he said.

Sleep, a nutritious diet, and exercise are also important (along with social connections, as mentioned above), Kileys added.

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