Happiness

Finland announces 100-year study to uncover why Finns are so happy

The study will track about 200,000 children born between 2026 and 2029, along with their families, throughout their lives.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Finnish flag flies over the City Hall in Helsinki, Finland, February 10, 2024.
People attend a drag performance in an underground parking lot used as a protected space in Tel Aviv, amid the war with Iran and Hezbollah and ongoing rocket fire toward Israel.

Israeli youth maintain positive moods amid global life satisfaction crisis, war - opinion

"In Israel, the reality encountered within the IDF is harsh, but ultimately produces something far healthier - far more communal and meaningful," researcher Anat Fanti says.

|ByLILAC SIGAN
A man brandish Israeli flags following an Iranian strike in Givatayim, in the center of Israel on March 6, 2026.

Israel ranks eighth globally in 2026 World Happiness Index despite war

Israel's resilience shines through as it maintains a top 10 spot in global happiness rankings amid the emotional and social challenges of wartime.

|ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
An outlook for life.

Following your own path: The source of energy we need to live happily

|ByLADO OKHOTNIKOV

How Israel ranks among the happiest nations despite constant turmoil - opinion

Despite conflicts, Israel ranks among the top 10 happiest countries. Discover the societal factors that foster resilience and community, boosting its happiness index.

JULY 24, 2024ByDR. LIRAZ MARGALIT
THE WRITER addresses a conference in Milan. The trauma of October 7 spurred an unprecedented wave of solidarity and mutual support among Israelis, she notes.

Connecting with friends and staying happy, despite the challenges

As per the most recent UN happiness survey, Israelis are the fourth-happiest people out of 130 nations.

JULY 20, 2024ByDR. MIKE GROPPER
Resilience and a sense of community contribute to our happiness.

New flamenco show Darabar to hit Jerusalem after delay due to Hamas war

We could all do with some positive vibes as things stand, and the Pessachs and their flamenco troupe might just have a happiness elixir to offer us. 

APRIL 7, 2024ByBARRY DAVIS
Ethiopian-born multidisciplinary artist Dege Feder (3rd L) and Remangar dance company director Keren Pessach (2nd R) dive into the flamenco action.

Israel perfectly embodies the essence of ‘happiness’ - opinion

The great pain caused by the seizing of hostages and the loss of life of soldiers has energized us to do something about them.

MARCH 24, 2024ByDOUGLAS ALTABEF
A SOLDIER walks past an Israeli flag that is adorned with a heart, in Tel Aviv. Mandatory service for most of our population, especially when such service is often life threatening, seems not to impede happiness, the writer says.

Israelis are fifth happiest in the world despite ongoing war, report finds

This year's ranking and previous years measured happiness and subjective well-being based on three factors: life evaluation, positive emotions, and negative emotions.

MARCH 20, 2024ByJACOB LAZNIK
Preschool children from the southern city of Ashkelon, celebrating with the Israeli flag, on 18 April, 2010 the Independence Day.

The season of Joy and Happiness - opinion

One of the positives in this time of war has been the abundance of kindness being done both in Israel and abroad. It not only helps the happiness of the recipients, but of the givers as well.

MARCH 20, 2024ByALAN FREISHTAT
SHOPPERS LOOK at costumes on display at a shop in Tel Aviv, ahead of Purim. It isn’t the time for elaborate gatherings, parties or luxury vacations. Still, we can celebrate our redemptions of the past with the hope for redemption in the near future, says the writer.

Keep good news a secret, scientists say it will make you feel energized

A study found that keeping good news a secret can make people feel energized and alive, regardless of whether they intend to share that information later with someone or not.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
An illustrative image of two women sharing a secret.

To overcome the darkness of war, embrace joy, faith, Torah values - opinion

Despite the unimaginable pain and loss we are experiencing, truth will prevail; and joy, rooted in deep faith, has the power to overcome what seems to be an impossible challenge.

OCTOBER 14, 2023ByHADASSAH CHEN
THE SUN in Tuscany seemed so harsh, suddenly.

When do people feel the most satisfaction, contentedness in their lives?

One would think that the age at which most people are happiest is when they are young, look their best, and have their strength, but researchers found a different answer.

OCTOBER 3, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
FOCUS ON the positive in others.

Sukkot: The Jewish holiday where God commands you to be happy - opinion

Commemorating the holiday in which we are commanded to be happy is something we cherish.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023ByBARRY NEWMAN
A MAN walks past a row of ‘sukkot,’ temporary dwellings, already built ahead of the holiday, on a street in the Mea She’arim neighborhood, in Jerusalem, last week.