Why is Denmark the “kingdom of fairy tales”? Because it was the home of famous writer Hans Christian Andersen. But there might be other reasons, says a new study.
Denmark is the happiest country in the world, according to the 2013 World Happiness Report by the United Nations (UN). The report ranks(排列)156 countries and regions (地区). All the top five happiest countries are from Europe, and three of them are from Scandinavia.
What makes people there happy? The UN considered several reasons.
Money is one. We are happy if we have money to cover our necessities. But extra (额外的) money cannot bring us more happiness. People in Northern Europe know this. From cars to mobile phones, from clothes to buildings, their designs are quite simple. Luxury (奢华) is not there.
Another reason is health. Nordic (北欧的) people have a healthy diet. They love fresh food. “There is not a big fast-food culture and no ready meals. We sit down with our families to eat our meals,” said Trina Hahnemann, a Danish cook.
A harmonious (和谐的) social life also makes us happy, according to the UN report. How about Nordic people? They live in harmony not only with people around, but also with nature. Night life is not popular in Scandinavia. People go home after work for some quality(高品质的) time with family members. Many families have a backyard. Father and child spend hours there each week, planting flowers and building swings.
Do you want to be happy? Think about the Nordic lifestyle, and happiness is in your own hands.
Where does Hans Christian Andersen come from?
How many countries of the top five happiest countries are from Scandinavia?
Do Nordic people love fresh food or ready meals?
What can make people happy according to the passage?
What does the writer want to tell us?