16 Jun World Cup Happiness
Unless you’re living in a cave somewhere, without any access to newspapers or television, you’ve probably noticed (even if you’re not a sports’ fan) that the Football (or Soccer) World Cup is currently being played.
What I’ve also noticed is that so many people seem to be finding this a source of joy and excitement. I remember a similar ambience during the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
So over the last week or so I’ve been asking myself – why might people be happier just because of a sporting event?
And I think I’ve come up with one possible explanation. For many, the World Cup and other events such as the Olympics, provide a focus bigger and greater than themselves, than their usual daily lives. One of the hypotheses put forward to explain why religious people seem to be happier is their belief in something greater than themselves.
Now I don’t mean to compare the World Cup to religion but I do think there might be a common theme. Having something positive to focus on, outside and beyond your daily duties and responsibilities, may well be a good thing to have and a variable that might contribute to health and wellbeing.
What do you think?