Seattle Happiness Seattle Happiness ConferenceConference

International Expert International Expert Working Group in BhutanWorking Group in Bhutan

Well-Being and Happiness: Well-Being and Happiness: What do we mean?What do we mean?

The Problems with GDPThe Problems with GDPGDP measures all expenditures in GDP measures all expenditures in a society as positive. Oil spills, a society as positive. Oil spills, heart attacks, divorce, etc. all add heart attacks, divorce, etc. all add to GDP. GDP does not measure to GDP. GDP does not measure many things that are important many things that are important for well-being, such as the value for well-being, such as the value of housework, volunteering, of housework, volunteering, leisure time, nature.leisure time, nature.

““Gross National Happiness is Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross more important than Gross National Product.”National Product.”

-Jigme Singye Wangchuck, -Jigme Singye Wangchuck, former King of Bhutanformer King of Bhutan

Measuring Well-BeingMeasuring Well-Being

Well-BeingWell-Being Conditions of LifeConditions of Life

Objective IndicatorsObjective Indicators Goal of policy changeGoal of policy change

Indicators of Well-BeingIndicators of Well-Being Genuine Progress IndicatorGenuine Progress Indicator

Canadian Index of Well-BeingCanadian Index of Well-Being

Measuring HappinessMeasuring Happiness

Subjective surveysSubjective surveys: how do you : how do you feel about your health, social feel about your health, social support, financial security, etc.?support, financial security, etc.?

ExamplesExamples: OECD Better Life Index, : OECD Better Life Index, Happiness Initiative GNH Index– Happiness Initiative GNH Index–

www.happpycounts.orgwww.happpycounts.org

Domains of HappinessDomains of Happiness Living StandardsLiving Standards HealthHealth Mental HealthMental Health Community VitalityCommunity Vitality Cultural VitalityCultural Vitality GovernanceGovernance EducationEducation EnvironmentEnvironment Time BalanceTime Balance Plus (Gallup) Work SatisfactionPlus (Gallup) Work Satisfaction

What can we learn from What can we learn from survey?survey?

Happiness scores:Happiness scores:Overall life satisfactionOverall life satisfaction 6666Material Well-BeingMaterial Well-Being 6767GovernanceGovernance 5252EnvironmentEnvironment 6868Community VitalityCommunity Vitality 5353Social SupportSocial Support 7171Education, Arts and CultureEducation, Arts and Culture 6767Mental HealthMental Health 7070HealthHealth 6565Time BalanceTime Balance 5050Work SatisfactionWork Satisfaction 6060

Call to ActionCall to Action

Take the survey.Take the survey. Pick one of your lowest scores (eg. Pick one of your lowest scores (eg.

Time balance).Time balance). Decide on one activity to improve it Decide on one activity to improve it

(eg. Don’t check work emails after (eg. Don’t check work emails after work).work).

Do this for three weeks.Do this for three weeks. Take survey again and reassess your Take survey again and reassess your

score—has it improved. Has it affected score—has it improved. Has it affected other scores?other scores?