It can be hard to ensure you’re doing everything right when it comes to fostering well-being and happiness—but have you ever noticed that maintaining mindfulness and healthy habits can sometimes be easier in the warmer months—or when traveling abroad?
A recent study out of the United Kingdom has confirmed the impact of five major lifestyle factors—including smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, body weight, and diet—can have on a healthy and happy life and exactly where on earth it’s the easiest to achieve a happy lifestyle that helps increase life expectancy and decrease chronic illness.
The study analyzed 44 global cities across 10 metrics ranging, from sunshine hours to the average cost of a gym membership.
Below, the top cities that have been ranked the highest based on the levels of happiness and health of its citizens.
10. Geneva, Switzerland
- Sunshine Hours: 1,830
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $80.23
- Happiness levels: 7.5 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,495
9. Fukuoka, Japan
- Sunshine Hours: 1,840
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $70.83
- Happiness levels: 6.1 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,598
8. Stockholm, Sweden
- Sunshine Hours: 1,803
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $50.36
- Happiness levels: 7.3 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,424
7. Berlin, Germany
- Sunshine Hours: 1,626
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $32.89
- Happiness levels: 7.3 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,332
6. Helsinki, Finland
- Sunshine Hours: 1,858
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $47.97
- Happiness levels: 7.9 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,531
5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Sunshine Hours: 1,662
- Obesity levels: 20.4%
- Happiness levels: 7.5 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,399
4. Frankfurt, Germany
- Sunshine Hours: 1,662
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $48.66
- Happiness levels: 7.3 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,332
3. Copenhagen, Denmark
- Sunshine hours: 1,912
- Pollution score: 21.96 / 100
- Happiness levels: 7.5 / 10
- Average hours worked in one year: 1,346
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Sunshine Hours: 3,509
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $76.16
- Happiness levels: 6.5 / 10
- No. of outdoor activities: 1,889
1. Vienna, Austria
- Sunshine Hours: 1,884
- Cost of a monthly gym membership: $31.02
- Happiness levels: 7.2 / 10
- Avg. hours worked in a year: 1,400
