Happiness

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.

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.
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

Living according to our true nature preserves energy and brings happiness, while inauthenticity drains it.

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

A YOUNG woman celebrates her birthday with a cake along the Tel Aviv beach promenade despite the ongoing war with Iran and missile fire toward Israel, March 5, 2026.

Israel ranks eighth in World Happiness Report despite war, young Israelis place third globally


What do you need to do in order to be truly happy?

About 50 academics reviewed tens of thousands of studies to answer the following question: What makes psychotherapy successful?

 REMEMBER THAT it’s a major mitzvah to be happy.

Rosh Hashanah: Having a Happy Jewish New Year in Israel - opinion

When we’re counting those 613 seeds of the pomegranate that correspond to mitzvot on Rosh Hashanah, remember that it’s a major mitzvah to be happy.

 REMEMBER THAT it’s a major mitzvah to be happy.

Why are Israelis so happy? Because Israel is small - opinion

One of the leading factors that I have read about and makes the most sense to me is that in this geographically small land, one’s family and loved ones are nearby.

An aerial shot of a Tel Aviv beach

Why is Israel one of the world's happiest countries?

An explanation is needed for why Israel is one of only two non-European countries [the other is New Zealand at No. 10] in the top 10 happiest places on earth.

 Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006, advocated the use of what he called a Gross National Happiness index to measure the well-being of citizens.

The mental health pandemic: America's great national emergency - opinion

We can only hope that our elected officials will begin to address mental health for what it is, a national emergency.

 US PRESIDENT Joe Biden (blurred in this slow shutter speed photo) walks down a hallway lined with candles representing victims of gun violence, after he spoke about the issue in an address to the nation from the White House, last Thursday

Dementia: Finding happiness beyond the point of no return

Barbara Diamond gets personal in her blog, Thedementiadiary.com

 CELEBRATING BERNARD’S 94th at home in Jerusalem.

Dementia: Finding happiness beyond the point of no return

Barbara Diamond gets personal in her blog, Thedementiadiary.com

 CELEBRATING BERNARD’S 94th at home in Jerusalem.

My Word: Happy to be here

The World Happiness Report is issued by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and it makes me happy that sometimes even a UN-affiliated body has something nice to say.

 PEOPLE IN downtown Jerusalem walk past flags on sale for Independence Day this week.

How moving from sadness to joy can affect the brain - analysis

It is no coincidence that Independence Day follows Remembrance Day, as the shared grief must turn into shared joy. How does this affect us psychologically?

 IAF aircraft fly over Jerusalem’s Sacher Park for Independence Day.

Why people are living for more years but enjoying life less

We do live longer – a whole lot longer, twice as long as we did a century ago! But prosper? Alas – that is a different ball game.

 Publicity photo of Leonard Nimoy, as Star Trek’s Dr. Spock, making the traditional Vulcan greeting sign.