Bhutan uses a happiness survey instead of the Gross National Product (GDP) as a measure of the quality of life of it's citizens. This self-survey below keeps the spirit of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness survey, but uses language and topics that are more universal.
Instructions: Please answer the following questions honestly. Your responses will help you understand how to support well-being in yourself and your community.
Do you feel you have the opportunity to learn and grow? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Do you feel confident in your knowledge and skills? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Instructions: Please answer the following questions honestly. Your responses will help you understand how to support well-being in yourself and your community.
1. Psychological Well-being
How happy do you feel today? (😊 Very Happy / 🙂 Somewhat Happy / 😐 Neutral / 🙁 Unhappy)
How often do you feel anxious or stressed? (Never / Rarely / Sometimes / Often)
Do you feel your life has meaning and purpose? (Yes / Not sure / No)
How happy do you feel today? (😊 Very Happy / 🙂 Somewhat Happy / 😐 Neutral / 🙁 Unhappy)
How often do you feel anxious or stressed? (Never / Rarely / Sometimes / Often)
Do you feel your life has meaning and purpose? (Yes / Not sure / No)
2. Health
How would you rate your physical health? (Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor)
Do you get enough sleep most nights? (Yes / No)
Do you have access to medical care when needed? (Yes / Sometimes / No)
How would you rate your physical health? (Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor)
Do you get enough sleep most nights? (Yes / No)
Do you have access to medical care when needed? (Yes / Sometimes / No)
3. Education and Learning
Do you feel you have the opportunity to learn and grow? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Do you feel confident in your knowledge and skills? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
4. Time Use
Do you feel you have enough time each day for work, rest, and fun? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How many hours of free time do you get on a typical day? (0–1 / 2–4 / 5+)
Do you feel you have enough time each day for work, rest, and fun? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How many hours of free time do you get on a typical day? (0–1 / 2–4 / 5+)
5. Cultural and Spiritual Life
Do you take part in any cultural, spiritual, or religious practices? (Often / Sometimes / Rarely / Never)
Do these practices give you comfort or joy? (Yes / Not sure / No)
Do you take part in any cultural, spiritual, or religious practices? (Often / Sometimes / Rarely / Never)
Do these practices give you comfort or joy? (Yes / Not sure / No)
6. Governance and Trust
Do you trust your local and national leaders or institutions to do what’s right? (Yes / Sometimes / No)
Do you feel your voice is heard in national, community or workplace decisions? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Do you trust your local and national leaders or institutions to do what’s right? (Yes / Sometimes / No)
Do you feel your voice is heard in national, community or workplace decisions? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
7. Community and Relationships
Do you feel a sense of belonging where you live or work? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How often do you talk with neighbors or coworkers? (Daily / Weekly / Rarely / Never)
Do you have someone you can turn to for help when needed? (Yes / No)
Do you feel a sense of belonging where you live or work? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How often do you talk with neighbors or coworkers? (Daily / Weekly / Rarely / Never)
Do you have someone you can turn to for help when needed? (Yes / No)
8. Environment
Are you satisfied with the cleanliness and natural beauty of your surroundings? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Do you take steps to live in an environmentally friendly way? (Often / Sometimes / Rarely / Never)
Are you satisfied with the cleanliness and natural beauty of your surroundings? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
Do you take steps to live in an environmentally friendly way? (Often / Sometimes / Rarely / Never)
9. Living Standards
Do you have enough to meet your basic needs (food, shelter, clothing)? (Yes / Mostly / No)
Do you feel financially secure? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How satisfied are you with your current living conditions? (Very Satisfied / Satisfied / Dissatisfied)
Do you have enough to meet your basic needs (food, shelter, clothing)? (Yes / Mostly / No)
Do you feel financially secure? (Yes / Somewhat / No)
How satisfied are you with your current living conditions? (Very Satisfied / Satisfied / Dissatisfied)
📝 Final Question:
What is one thing that would improve your well-being right now?
(Open-ended answer)
What is one thing that would improve your well-being right now?
(Open-ended answer)
Post your results in a comment to this post and where you are now living.
