Перевод
Язык оригинала
06.11.2025
Happiness index: ways to improve wellbeing of the population.
INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN CAPITAL
Happiness index: ways to improve wellbeing of the population.
When was the last time we experienced true happiness and what makes us truly happy?
Happiness is the state of harmony and joy, when we feel satisfaction with life and unity with the world.
In my essay I will try to answer the question of where to find this happiness and how it can be connected with economic progress.
After a hard day full of worries and difficulties, we strive to disconnect from sufferings and worries and to get rid of constant tension and stress. One way to achieve this is by listening to the sounds of nature.
This subconscious desire to fall asleep to the sound of rain or wash of the sea has scientific basis behind it. According to research published in Scientific Reports magazine in March 2017, nature sounds physically alter connections in our brains, thus, reducing the natural fight or flight instinct. They give us sense of calmness and peace.
We live in constant stress. According to VTsIOM study conducted in 2024, approximately one third of Russians experience stress rarely or sometimes (34% and 37%, respectively), 13% — often, and 6%, by their own estimates, live in constant stress. In total, 9 out of 10 (90%) of our fellow citizens experience stress with varying frequency, which corresponds to the figures from five years ago (2019 — 91%) and is slightly lower than 14 years ago (96%). At the same time, the share of those experiencing stress regularly (constantly and frequently) returned to the 2010 level: today, this is every fifth person (19%, 2010 — 18%), and in 2019 — every fourth person (25%). Another 8% today, apparently, are maximally protected from stress and never experience it (2010 — 3%).
According to the same study, to combat stress, our compatriots increase their physical activity, go out into nature, spend more time with family, find new hobbies, and meditate.
What if I tell you that we can afford to live without stress, spend a lot of time with family, be constantly physically active, and even in nature, and even be of benefit to our country?
For this we just need to remember our parents and grandparents. To remember how we came to visit them in the village and how comfortable we felt there.
Did our grandparents need psychologists? Did they experience stress from unpredictability of work or from lack of communication with their loved ones? Or maybe someone said that they wouldn’t be able to feed a second child? Not at all! They always knew what tomorrow would bring. They knew that in summer there would be haymaking and in winter there would be firewood harvesting. They knew that there were supplies for the winter in the cellar, and that there was always milk and cottage cheese in their refrigerators. They had enough physical activity, their daily routine was always planned in detail, and they looked boldly to the future. Will you lure to the city those who still stay in the villages and have their own farms and powers to manage them? You will not, because they are happy where they are.
Unfortunately, in Russia, and not only there, villages are dying out. According to the census, in 2021, there were 153 157 rural settlements in Russia, in 24 751 of which there were no residents, which is approximately 16.2%. Another 23.5 thousand villages and hamlets have population of 6 or less residents, and many of them are populated by elderly people. There are 6 to 10 residents in 11.7 thousand of such settlements.
But we must preserve the villages and towns that we have, and we must create new ones. This is necessary for us to:
• Preserve cultural heritage
• Develop agriculture
• Maintain food security
• Improve quality of life of citizens
• Maintain natural balance
Many people think about the village in stereotypes. Many people still think that living in a village means not having any of the benefits of civilization. But it is not so. A modern village has high-speed Internet, modern technology, and comfortable houses.
Modern technologies allow us to work from anywhere in the world, so why do not we work from a place, where we are happy, where our family and our loved ones are happy?
It shall be mentioned that according to data from NAFI analytical center, 87% of urban youth are willing to consider shifting to the countryside, if they can live and work there comfortably.
The task of the state is to ensure this comfort. These are vast expenses, but they will pay off. As a result, the state will receive following:
• Elimination of the dependency on food imports
• Development of infrastructure and economy
• Reduced demographic tension
• Healthy and happy citizens
What should we do to revive the village?
We shall provide people with comfortable housing, modern technologies for work in agriculture, medicine, and schools.
I offer to conduct a pilot project in my native village of Poddorye in the Novgorod Region. At present, the village has everything for comfortable life of those who want, but are still afraid to change their lives. The village has well developed sports, Internet, a hospital, and a school. It is only necessary to build comfortable modern houses.
In future, experience of comfortable rural environment creation can be used to resettle city dwellers. This could be one of the ways to reduce the load on modern megacities of BRICS+ countries.
Links to resources:
https://nafi.ru/analytics/87-gorodskoy-molodezhi-gotovy-rassmotret-pereezd-v-selskuyu-mestnost-esli-smogut-tam-komfortno-zhit-/?ysclid=m84n4wqii4450108311
https://m.ok.ru/group/61373762502778/topic/154622366492026
https://dzen.ru/a/Y9jnjc4ZVyijzkic
https://wciom.ru/analytical-reviews/analiticheskii-obzor/upravlenie-stressom
https://finance.rambler.ru/economics/52094243-vtsiom-tret-molodyh-rossiyan-zadumyvayutsya-o-zhizni-i-biznese-v-sele/
Essay prepared by
Alexander Nikolaevich Vasilev
11.03.2025.
Happiness index: ways to improve wellbeing of the population.
When was the last time we experienced true happiness and what makes us truly happy?
Happiness is the state of harmony and joy, when we feel satisfaction with life and unity with the world.
In my essay I will try to answer the question of where to find this happiness and how it can be connected with economic progress.
After a hard day full of worries and difficulties, we strive to disconnect from sufferings and worries and to get rid of constant tension and stress. One way to achieve this is by listening to the sounds of nature.
This subconscious desire to fall asleep to the sound of rain or wash of the sea has scientific basis behind it. According to research published in Scientific Reports magazine in March 2017, nature sounds physically alter connections in our brains, thus, reducing the natural fight or flight instinct. They give us sense of calmness and peace.
We live in constant stress. According to VTsIOM study conducted in 2024, approximately one third of Russians experience stress rarely or sometimes (34% and 37%, respectively), 13% — often, and 6%, by their own estimates, live in constant stress. In total, 9 out of 10 (90%) of our fellow citizens experience stress with varying frequency, which corresponds to the figures from five years ago (2019 — 91%) and is slightly lower than 14 years ago (96%). At the same time, the share of those experiencing stress regularly (constantly and frequently) returned to the 2010 level: today, this is every fifth person (19%, 2010 — 18%), and in 2019 — every fourth person (25%). Another 8% today, apparently, are maximally protected from stress and never experience it (2010 — 3%).
According to the same study, to combat stress, our compatriots increase their physical activity, go out into nature, spend more time with family, find new hobbies, and meditate.
What if I tell you that we can afford to live without stress, spend a lot of time with family, be constantly physically active, and even in nature, and even be of benefit to our country?
For this we just need to remember our parents and grandparents. To remember how we came to visit them in the village and how comfortable we felt there.
Did our grandparents need psychologists? Did they experience stress from unpredictability of work or from lack of communication with their loved ones? Or maybe someone said that they wouldn’t be able to feed a second child? Not at all! They always knew what tomorrow would bring. They knew that in summer there would be haymaking and in winter there would be firewood harvesting. They knew that there were supplies for the winter in the cellar, and that there was always milk and cottage cheese in their refrigerators. They had enough physical activity, their daily routine was always planned in detail, and they looked boldly to the future. Will you lure to the city those who still stay in the villages and have their own farms and powers to manage them? You will not, because they are happy where they are.
Unfortunately, in Russia, and not only there, villages are dying out. According to the census, in 2021, there were 153 157 rural settlements in Russia, in 24 751 of which there were no residents, which is approximately 16.2%. Another 23.5 thousand villages and hamlets have population of 6 or less residents, and many of them are populated by elderly people. There are 6 to 10 residents in 11.7 thousand of such settlements.
But we must preserve the villages and towns that we have, and we must create new ones. This is necessary for us to:
• Preserve cultural heritage
• Develop agriculture
• Maintain food security
• Improve quality of life of citizens
• Maintain natural balance
Many people think about the village in stereotypes. Many people still think that living in a village means not having any of the benefits of civilization. But it is not so. A modern village has high-speed Internet, modern technology, and comfortable houses.
Modern technologies allow us to work from anywhere in the world, so why do not we work from a place, where we are happy, where our family and our loved ones are happy?
It shall be mentioned that according to data from NAFI analytical center, 87% of urban youth are willing to consider shifting to the countryside, if they can live and work there comfortably.
The task of the state is to ensure this comfort. These are vast expenses, but they will pay off. As a result, the state will receive following:
• Elimination of the dependency on food imports
• Development of infrastructure and economy
• Reduced demographic tension
• Healthy and happy citizens
What should we do to revive the village?
We shall provide people with comfortable housing, modern technologies for work in agriculture, medicine, and schools.
I offer to conduct a pilot project in my native village of Poddorye in the Novgorod Region. At present, the village has everything for comfortable life of those who want, but are still afraid to change their lives. The village has well developed sports, Internet, a hospital, and a school. It is only necessary to build comfortable modern houses.
In future, experience of comfortable rural environment creation can be used to resettle city dwellers. This could be one of the ways to reduce the load on modern megacities of BRICS+ countries.
Links to resources:
https://nafi.ru/analytics/87-gorodskoy-molodezhi-gotovy-rassmotret-pereezd-v-selskuyu-mestnost-esli-smogut-tam-komfortno-zhit-/?ysclid=m84n4wqii4450108311
https://m.ok.ru/group/61373762502778/topic/154622366492026
https://dzen.ru/a/Y9jnjc4ZVyijzkic
https://wciom.ru/analytical-reviews/analiticheskii-obzor/upravlenie-stressom
https://finance.rambler.ru/economics/52094243-vtsiom-tret-molodyh-rossiyan-zadumyvayutsya-o-zhizni-i-biznese-v-sele/
Essay prepared by
Alexander Nikolaevich Vasilev
11.03.2025.
Индекс счастья: пути повышения благополучия населения.
Когда в последний раз мы испытывали настоящее счастье и что делает нас по-настоящему счастливыми?
Счастье — это состояние гармонии и радости, когда мы ощущаем удовлетворение от жизни и чувствуем единство с миром.
В своем эссе я постараюсь ответить на вопрос, где найти это счастье и как оно может быть связано с экономическим прогрессом.
После тяжелого дня, полного забот и трудностей, мы стремимся отключиться от переживаний и волнений, избавиться от постоянного напряжения и стресса. Одним из способов достичь этого является прослушивание звуков природы.
Это подсознательное желание засыпать под шум дождя или прибоя имеет научное обоснование. Согласно исследованию, опубликованному в журнале Scientific Reports в марте 2017 года, звуки природы физически изменяют связи в нашем мозге, снижая естественный инстинкт борьбы или бегства. Они дарят нам ощущение спокойствия и умиротворения.
Мы живем в постоянном стрессе. По данным исследования ВЦИОМ, проведенного в 2024 году, около трети россиян сталкиваются со стрессом редко или иногда (34% и 37% соответственно), 13% — часто, а 6%, по их собственным оценкам, живут в постоянном стрессе. В общей сложности с разной периодичностью со стрессом сталкиваются 9 из 10 наших сограждан (90%), что соответствует показателям пятилетней давности (2019 г. — 91%) и немного уступает показателям 14-летней давности (96%). При этом доля тех, кто испытывает стресс регулярно (постоянно и часто), вернулась к уровню 2010 г.: в наши дни к таковым можно отнести каждого пятого (19%, 2010 г. — 18%), а в 2019 г. — каждого четвертого (25%). Еще 8% сегодня, по всей видимости, максимально ограждены от стресса и никогда его не испытывают (2010 г. — 3%).
Согласно тому же исследованию, для борьбы со стрессом наши соотечественники увеличивают свою физическую активность, выезжают на природу, больше проводят времени с семьей, находят новые хобби и медитируют.
А что, если я скажу вам, что мы можем позволить себе жить без стрессов, проводить много времени с семьей, находиться в постоянной физической активности, да еще и на природе, да еще и приносить пользу нашей стране?
Для этого нам нужно всего лишь вспомнить наших родителей, наших бабушек и дедушек. Вспомнить, как мы приезжали к ним в гости в деревню и как уютно мы себя там чувствовали.
Разве нужны были нашим бабушкам и дедушкам психологи? Разве испытывали они стрессы от непредсказуемости с работой или от нехватки общения с близкими? А может быть, кто-то говорил, что мы не сможем прокормить второго ребенка? Нет! Они всегда знали, что их ждет завтра. Они знали, что летом будет сенокос, зимой заготовка дров. Они знали, что в погребе на зиму стоят заготовки, а в холодильнике всегда есть молоко и творог. Им хватало физической активности, и распорядок дня всегда был расписан до мелочей, они смело смотрели в будущее. Разве заманите вы в город тех, кто еще остался в деревне и имеет свое хозяйство и силы с ним справляться? Нет, потому что они счастливы на своем месте.
К сожалению, в России, да и не только, деревни вымирают. Согласно переписи населения, на 2021 год в России насчитывалось 153 157 сельских населенных пунктов, из которых в 24 751 никто не проживает — это около 16,2%. Еще 23,5 тысячи сел и деревень имеют численность населения по 6 и менее жителей, во многих из них проживают люди преклонного возраста. От 6 до 10 жителей проживает в 11,7 тыс. таких поселений.
Но мы обязаны сохранить те поселки и деревни, что у нас есть, и обязаны создать новые. Нам это необходимо для:
• Сохранения культурного наследия
• Развития сельского хозяйства
• Сохранения продовольственной безопасности
• Улучшения качества жизни граждан
• Сохранения природного баланса
Многие мыслят стереотипами о деревне. Многие до сих пор думают, что жить в деревне — это не иметь никаких благ цивилизации. Но это не так. Современная деревня — это высокоскоростной интернет, это современная техника, это комфортные дома.
Современные технологии позволяют нам работать из любой точки мира, так почему бы нам не работать из того места, где мы будем счастливы, где будут счастливы наша семья и наши близкие?
Стоит отметить, что согласно данным аналитического центра НАФИ, 87% городской молодежи готовы рассмотреть переезд в сельскую местность, если смогут там комфортно жить и работать.
Задача государства — обеспечить этот комфорт. Это большие затраты, но они окупятся. В итоге государство получит:
• Исключение зависимости от импорта продовольствия
• Развитие инфраструктуры и экономики
• Снижение демографической напряженности
• Здоровые и счастливые граждане
Что мы должны сделать, чтобы возродить село?
Мы должны обеспечить людей комфортным жильем, современными технологиями для работы в сельском хозяйстве, медициной и школами.
Предлагаю провести пилотный проект в моем родном селе Поддорье Новгородской области. На данный момент в поселке есть все для комфортной жизни тех, кто хочет, но пока боится поменять свою жизнь. В поселке развит спорт, есть интернет, больница, школа. Нужно только построить комфортные, современные дома.
В будущем опыт создания комфортной сельской среды может быть использован для переселения городских жителей. Это может стать одним из способов разгрузки современных мегаполисов в странах БРИКС+.
Ссылка на используемые ресурсы:
https://nafi.ru/analytics/87-gorodskoy-molodezhi-gotovy-rassmotret-pereezd-v-selskuyu-mestnost-esli-smogut-tam-komfortno-zhit-/?ysclid=m84n4wqii4450108311
https://m.ok.ru/group/61373762502778/topic/154622366492026
https://dzen.ru/a/Y9jnjc4ZVyijzkic
https://wciom.ru/analytical-reviews/analiticheskii-obzor/upravlenie-stressom
https://finance.rambler.ru/economics/52094243-vtsiom-tret-molodyh-rossiyan-zadumyvayutsya-o-zhizni-i-biznese-v-sele/
Эссе подготовил
Васильев Александр Николаевич
11.03.2025.
Читать весь текст
Социальные сети Instagram и Facebook запрещены в РФ. Решением суда от 21.03.2022 компания Meta признана экстремистской организацией на территории Российской Федерации.
