Finding Happiness at the Other End of the World

Finding happiness at the other end of the world

I’m in the city of Battambang in Cambodia. Ingrid and I bicycled here from Bangkok, Thailand. The weather has been a bit extreme for pedalling, temperatures are well over 30 every day, but we are having a wonderful time.

Cambodia has a horrendous history. In the late seventies the Khmer Rouge came to power and through starvation and executions about one quarter of the population were killed. Despite this terrifying background, the people of Cambodia are amongst the friendliest and happiest people I have encountered anywhere.

As we cycle through the country, we are greeted by enthusiastic waving children. Almost all the adults we have encountered greet us with friendly smiles. We have experienced pleasant welcomes throughout southeast Asia, but nothing compares to the reception we have experienced in Cambodia.

While friendliness and happiness are not exactly the same, I believe that friendly people are generally happy people. A National Institute of Health Study suggests that kind people (or friendly people) experience more happiness and have happier memories. That isn’t hard to believe.

But why should people with terrible experiences in their recent past be happy?

There are a number of sources that list things people can do to become happier.

Almost all these lists include being outdoors, exercise and gratitude.

Cambodians spend much of their time outdoors. Their weather is hot and unlike Canadians they don’t need to huddle inside to keep warm. The country is economically depressed, and most people have to work hard. Exercise isn’t a frill for most Cambodians.

Perhaps the most important factor in Cambodian happiness is gratitude. Most adult Cambodians have memories of the recent brutal past. Perhaps they appreciate the peace they live in now. I’m sure Cambodians don’t take the relative serenity of their existences for granted.

Happiness is contagious. Being around smiling people who appreciate their good fortune should make anyone happy.

When I read through lists of ways to be happy, I realize that a bicycle riding trip through southeast Asia checks off many of the suggestions.

Planning a trip is a suggested way to be happy. Surely planning and carrying out a trip is even better.

Taking a bicycle trip provides exercise, time in the outdoors and sound sleep. Lists that I’ve seen say that ten minutes of exercise is helpful by causing the release of the chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Elevated heart rate causes an increased blood supply to the brain. Hours on a bike give many benefits. After a day on the bike, it isn’t hard to fall into a glorious sleep every night. Sound sleep is another cause of happiness.

Like the Cambodians I’m filled with gratitude. I realize how lucky I am to be able to do this trip physically, psychologically, and financially. Not everyone can (or would want to) take part in an adventure like ours.

Just smiling is another way that’s been shown to increase happiness. It’s hard not to smile as we pedal past enthusiastic children on the sides of the road.

An unexpected source of happiness is talking to strangers. On our trip we have been put together with cyclists and guides that we don’t know. We talk together to the extent that we’ve become friends. And being around friends is another way to increase happiness.

We don’t need to travel to Cambodia to be happy, but there are lessons to learn from people on the other side of the planet. If we can put down our phones for a while and get outside and move around, maybe we can be a little happier. And what could be better than being happy?