How to improve happiness in America

uch of what we think brings happiness is misguided or just plain wrong,” New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner told Salon’s Alexandra Clinton on Salon Talks.

Buettner is no novice when it comes to the secrets of happiness. His new book “The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons from the World’s Happiest People” is a guide to help individuals find maximum fulfillment through a balance of purpose, pleasure and pride. Buettner found and explored the happiest places in the world, which he argues are Denmark, Costa Rica and Singapore, and then distilled which findings and lessons could be applied to our everyday lives.

“What ‘Blue Zones of Happiness’ does is give you about 50 evidence-based ways to reshape your surroundings,” Buettner says.

Here are some of the essential lessons he learned: Set up your house, social network, work life and finances thoughtfully. This means managing money and living within your means; feeling safe and secure in your community; making time for trips with friends and family.

Socializing five to six hours per day seems like a huge amount, but Buettner argues that it’s critical to happiness. This includes lunches with friends, happy hour, and dinner with family. Another point is to live close enough to work that you can walk there.

Buettner admits that finding happiness is not always in our control, and he estimates that about 40 percent is dictated by our genes, and 15 percent is based on chance, as we have little control over certain illnesses or chronic pain. But Buettner adds, “about 45 percent or so is up to you.”