We often view happiness and health as separate aspects of life, but in reality, they are closely interconnected. Imagine walking through a bustling marketplace, with each stall symbolizing different parts of your life. One offers fruits and vegetables, representing physical health, while another showcases art, music, and literature, symbolizing emotional and mental well-being. Navigating this marketplace reveals the deep connection between happiness and health.

Eustress vs. distress

Growing up, I was fortunate to avoid the common adolescent struggle with acne. It wasn’t due to a charmed life, but rather because my body thrived under eustress—positive stress that keeps us motivated and productive. A 2013 study by the University of California found that eustress improves cognitive performance and enhances resilience, making it an essential part of healthy living. However, my perspective changed dramatically when I moved to another part of the world. The stress of adapting to a new life brought about acne, painful periods, and other health challenges. It wasn’t just the change in environment or diet; it was the overwhelming distress.

This shift made me recall my grandmother’s words when I was 12 or 13: “The face is the index of the mind.” Her wisdom resonated as I observed how stress affected my body. Studies confirm that chronic distress significantly weakens the immune system and contributes to physical health problems like heart disease, as highlighted in a study from the American Journal of Public Health (2014).

Cultural differences in stress perception

Coming from a lineage of hardworking women, I had never seen life from the other side. Unlike those from business families where rules were bent for convenience, my life felt more rigid. However, different cultures perceive and manage stress in distinct ways. In Eastern cultures, stress is often viewed as a natural part of life, and mindfulness or meditation is used to manage it. A 2020 study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine showed that people practicing mindfulness exhibited lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), suggesting a healthier way to handle life's challenges.

The modern stress of work and social media

Today, much of our stress comes from work. We spend 8-9 hours a day in the office, often regardless of whether we enjoy the work. A 2019 WHO study estimated that depression and anxiety caused by work-related stress cost the global economy over $1 trillion in lost productivity annually. On top of that, there’s "digi-stress"—a term I use for the subtle stress we absorb from social media. Constant exposure to others' seemingly perfect lives or distressing world events takes a toll on our mental health. According to a 2018 report by the Royal Society for Public Health, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook contribute to heightened levels of anxiety and depression, particularly among young adults.

Stress and healthy coping

One Tuesday afternoon, amidst the usual office chatter, I spoke with Sahiba, a 31-year-old from India working in Germany. When I asked her about her definition of health and wellness, she emphasized functionality —being able to run five kilometers for ice cream if she felt like it. Sahiba prefers outdoor workouts to the confines of a gym, finding peace in nature. Research has shown that spending time in nature, often called "green therapy," helps reduce stress and improve mental clarity. A study in Scientific Reports (2019) confirmed that spending just two hours a week in nature can significantly boost health and well-being.

Initially, Sahiba dealt with stress by avoiding it and letting problems build up. But she eventually realized that this only bottled up her emotions. Now, she channels her stress through running and exercise, a much healthier outlet. For Sahiba, healthy relationships and two-way communication are key. She avoids one-sided interactions where the other person only talks without listening, considering them a waste of time. For her, people are her main source of happiness.

The blue zones and purposes

Sahiba’s focus on relationships ties into a broader trend seen in the world's happiest regions, known as Blue Zones. These regions, such as Okinawa, Japan, and Sardinia, Italy, are home to some of the longest-living and happiest people on Earth. The key to their longevity and happiness? A slower pace of life, strong social connections, and a clear sense of purpose. According to The Journal of Aging Research (2015), having a sense of purpose can extend life expectancy by up to 7 years.

Everyone handles stress differently, and we all have unique definitions of it. In our competitive world, it's impossible to completely avoid stress, so we learn to coexist with it. The U-shaped happiness curve, as described by Dartmouth professor David Blanchflower, suggests that happiness peaks around age 30, declines in midlife, and rises again after 70. But new research shows a shift: young adults aged 18 to 25 are now reporting lower happiness levels than people in their 40s and 50s. This raises important questions: How, in an era where the world is becoming more open, accepting, and accommodating of diverse lifestyles and perspectives, are young people more stressed than ever?

Financial security and the FIRE movement

One reason for this increased stress among young adults is financial insecurity. Rising living costs, student debt, and uncertain job markets have created anxiety about the future. In response, many are embracing the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, where individuals work intensely in their 20s to save enough money to retire early and live life on their terms. This reflects a shift in how happiness and success are defined, with an emphasis on financial freedom and personal well-being.

Finland: a case study in happiness

It also makes me question how much our geographical positioning on the globe affects our happiness and health. For several consecutive years now, Finland has been ranked as the country with the happiest people in the world, holding the top spot in the World Happiness Report. Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country due to its strong social support systems, excellent healthcare, and work-life balance. A 2020 study published in World Psychiatry revealed that Finnish people report lower stress levels due to high levels of trust in government and social security, as well as their connection to nature.

However, if we examine these parameters, we notice that many of them are beyond individual control. For those living in developing or underdeveloped countries, where such systems are lacking, happiness and well-being must be actively sought and enforced by the individuals themselves.