Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Aspen Ideas Festival: Dan Buettner on happiness

Suzanne Jones, Steve Clemons and Dan Buettner discuss happiness.
Suzanne Jones, Steve Clemons and Dan Buettner discuss happiness.
Riccardo Savi | The Aspen Institute

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Where in the world are the happiest and healthiest people?

The United States is not a particularly happy country, according to a World Happiness Report issued annually by the United Nations. We're in 18th place, just above the United Kingdom, but behind all the Scandinavian countries, Costa Rica, Canada and Australia, among others.

The UN report based its happiness rankings on data about income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity.

Minnesota native Dan Buettner has made it his mission to study the science of happiness and he shared his research about "Blue Zones" at this summer's Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.

He says you can't exactly measure "happiness," but you can measure "life satisfaction." Buettner asks people to answer the question, "when you think of your life as a whole, how satisfied are you with your life?"

Another measurement of happiness, Buettner says, is purpose. "How often do you get to use your strengths to do what you do best every day?"

Suzanne Jones, the mayor of Boulder, Colorado joined him on the panel, which was moderated by Steve Clemons, Washington editor at The Atlantic. The session was held June 23, 2018 in Aspen, Colorado.