Visiting Fiji has been scientifically proven to increase happiness, following an investigation by Tourism Fiji with leading neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski.
The study followed surfer Laura Enever, artist Elliot Routledge, and Chef Tom Walton as they travelled Fiji, fitted with Hexoskin Smart Garments which allowed Dr Landowski to measure the trio’s adrenalin, oxytocin, cortisol, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.
And Tourism Fiji says the results were striking with Dr Landowski noting that not only are the key elements that contribute to an overall feeling of happiness found in abundance in Fiji, but by simply being exposed to them, the participants’ own feelings of happiness increased in turn.
“One of the big things in terms of why [Fijians] are such happy people is because of the social connection,” says Dr Landowski, pointing to a Harvard study which found the happiest and healthiest people have strong social connections.
“In Fiji, everyone says bula, everyone says hello,” she says. “The simple act of smiling, or saying ‘bula’ or even waving; all of these things create this sense of connection to one another, and we know that more connection leads to a feeling of happiness and reduces biomarkers of stress.”
Tourism Fiji is building on the success of this study with a new Science of Happiness docu-series, which follows the aforementioned trio as they experience an increase in their own happiness while in Fiji.
Check it out HERE.
