Prioritizing well-being is a collective need. From urban design to social trust, research shows that happiness thrives when communities foster connection, purpose, and sustainability, writes Prof. Lisa Bevill, Academic Director of the Center for Health & Well-being at IE University.

First published on IE Insights. With kind acknowledgements to Kerry Parke.

Focusing on happiness might initially seem frivolous, whimsical. After all, shouldn’t we be tackling climate change, inequality, and other pressing challenges? Yet, it’s important to remember that true happiness runs deeper than fleeting moments of joy. It encompasses a sense of contentment that has the ability to persist even through life’s inevitable challenges. It can also have a ripple effect that transforms the world around us.

Research from the American Psychological Association confirms in the article “Nurtured by Nature” that “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” Dr. Robert Waldinger, of the Harvard Adult Development Study demonstrates that health, happiness, and fulfillment are strongly linked to social connection and the quality of our relationships. We can now appreciate how people’s connections with others, their environment, and their sense of purpose support our happiness. For example, Daryl R. Van Tongeren of Hope College, and colleagues, found that when people engage in altruistic and prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering or writing notes of gratitude, they feel a greater sense of meaning in their lives.

Tending to your secret garden

When individuals connect with others, build relationships, and feel a sense of purpose, they naturally engage in behaviors that strengthen the community. Consider communal garden plots in neighborhoods. When these shared spaces and connections emerge, they are not about the activity in and of itself; rather they create an activity in which people can connect, where neighbors can run into each other and communities can grow through engagement. These gardens become living examples of how personal well-being and community strength are intertwined and can grow together, leading to more caring activities such as looking out for a neighbor, sharing a meal, or lending a hand when needed.

Indeed, communities today work like living ecosystems – messy, dynamic, and interdependent. And they spill beyond neighborhood boundaries into workplaces, online spaces, and shared interest groups and create “third spaces” that, as Cristina Mateo points out, support “continuous social interaction while ensuring safety and accessibility.” What makes a thriving community isn’t just location, but a feeling – people who feel they matter, are supported and empowered to contribute to something greater than themselves. This flips our traditional thinking: well-being isn’t just something to pursue for ourselves but something we build together. When we approach well-being in this way, it has the power to transform entire organizations, cities, and societies.

People who feel supported emotionally show up differently

Meaningful human connections are at the heart of these flourishing communities. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the world’s longest-running studies on adult life, reveals that good relationships and a sense of belonging keep us happier and healthier. This becomes particularly evident when we look at the 2023 World Happiness Report. Countries like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland consistently rank among the happiest nations, largely due to their strong social safety nets, high levels of trust in institutions and fellow citizens, and emphasis on community well-being over purely economic measures. These societies demonstrate that when well-being becomes a collective priority, everyone benefits.

One of the reasons why Finland consistently tops the World Happiness Report is because of deep societal trust, which creates a sense of security that allows citizens to focus on living well rather than merely surviving. As psychology expert Elisabet Lahti puts it, “In a well-functioning, fair society, people can worry less and concentrate on living their lives.” Two elements define Finland’s approach to community well-being: universal access to nature (no Finn is ever more than a 10-minute walk from green space) and their concept of “sisu”—a blend of resilience and integrity that strengthens both individual and societal life.

To that point, a 2024 article published in Nature argues for the need to protect biodiversity and demonstrates the impact of urban biodiversity and climate change on children’s health and well-being. For example, Japan’s “forest therapy” program, encourages citizens to immerse themselves in nature – known as  shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”) and is a practice that can indeed be done outside of Japan – has been linked to lower rates of anxiety and hypertension.

The link between purpose and happiness

Bhutan offers another perspective on the holistic approach to happiness, with its Gross National Happiness Index. Since the 1970s, this Himalayan nation has measured success not just by traditional economic indicators but also the nine domains of living standards, health, education, environment, community, time-use, psychological well-being, governance, and culture. Bhutan’s approach acknowledges something many of us feel but rarely articulate – that our happiness is tangled up with the health of our communities and the natural world around us.

One powerful way to leverage well-being for community building is by encouraging purpose-driven environments. In Totnes, England, for example, residents launched a local currency supporting small businesses, planted fruit trees in public spaces, and created skills-sharing workshops. These initiatives didn’t just reduce the town’s carbon footprint – they wove a stronger social fabric throughout the town.

People engaged in purpose-driven activities report higher levels of life satisfaction and stronger community bonds. The Blue Zones research by Dan Buettner provides further evidence of this. His studies of communities with extraordinary longevity and well-being worldwide – from Nicoya to Sardinia to Okinawa – consistently identify purposeful living and strong social connections as key factors in well-being.

When we care for each other’s emotional health, our communities just work better. It’s that simple. People who feel supported emotionally show up differently—they volunteer more, check on neighbors, and help solve local problems. Singapore’s Social Emotional Learning curriculum demonstrates this principle in schools, reducing bullying while improving academic performance. Vancouver’s “kindness campaigns” take a similar approach with public policy, including free counseling in parks and community art projects.

The 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand revealed how emotional support and community resilience reinforce each other. Residents formed “gap filler” groups to transform rubble-strewn lots into pop-up parks, theaters, and memorials. These spaces became hubs for collective grieving and rebuilding, illustrating how emotional support and civic action can coexist. As experts suggest, healing happens when people feel seen, supported, and filled with a sense of belonging. When community leaders prioritize emotional intelligence and empathy, they create spaces where people are motivated not only by personal success but by supporting others.

Sustainability and the quality of life

Sustainability, in both environmental and social dimensions, naturally complements well-being initiatives. As challenges like climate change and resource depletion affect communities worldwide, sustainable practices become increasingly essential. It is true that sustainability is often framed as requiring sacrifice, but communities from Costa Rica to Sweden are proving that ecological practices can enhance quality of life. Costa Rica, which derives 99% of its energy from renewables, has doubled its forest cover since the 1980s while maintaining high life satisfaction scores. In Malmö, Sweden, rooftop gardens and solar-powered housing cooperatives have reduced emissions while creating jobs, fostering pride among residents. Urban design also plays a pivotal role here.

Barcelona’s “superblocks” initiative – reclaiming streets from cars for green spaces and playgrounds – has cut air pollution by 25% and increased social interaction. Research from the National Academy of Sciences backs up what many urban residents already know firsthand – neighborhoods with parks, community gardens, and gathering spaces don’t just look nicer; they change how people interact. Neighbors talk more, watch out for each other, and generally report feeling better about where they live.

Supporting people in their pursuit of well-being enables them to build stronger and more resilient communities – whether in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, or cities. Leaders across all sectors now have a responsibility to create environments that prioritize well-being. This extends beyond providing basic services to fostering a culture of empathy, cooperation, and purpose.

Communities thrive when we focus on what actually matters: meaningful projects, emotional support, sustainable choices, and treating everyone fairly. When we get these basics right, something surprising happens—happiness stops being a personal chase and becomes something we create together.

Building communities where happiness and sustainability thrive requires shifting our mindset—from valuing productivity alone to prioritizing care and connection. For individuals, this might mean volunteering at a community garden, joining a climate action group, or simply sharing meals with neighbors. For leaders, it means investing in mental health resources, green infrastructure, and equitable access to education.

The Māori concept of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship of the land, offers wisdom for this journey. In New Zealand, Māori communities partner with local governments to manage natural resources, ensuring decisions benefit both current and future generations. This philosophy, rooted in interdependence, offers a model for balancing human needs with ecological stewardship.

By re-imagining our communities as ecosystems where every action – planting a tree, supporting a neighbor, advocating for cleaner air – contributes to a larger story, we build resilience and joy that extends far beyond our individual life.

Useful links:

• Link up with Prof. Lisa Bevill on LinkedIn
• Read a related article: Mixing Business with Spirituality
• Discover IE Business School
• Apply for an IE MBA.

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