Hey you. Yeah you, scrolling through your phone looking for a quick hit of dopamine. Well here it comes, straight from the Wave of Happy. What is this mythical Wave, you ask? And how can you catch it to get your fill of good vibes? We’re breaking it all down for you – the science, the methods, and the mindsets you need to tap into the Wave and ride it all the way to Joy Town. Stick with us, because we’re about to unlock the secrets of sustainable happiness and teach you how to activate those feel-good brain chemicals anytime. Turn that frown upside down, because the Wave of Happy is cresting, and we’re all about to get pleasantly inundated if we play our cards right. You in?
What Is Wave of Happy?
Wave of Happy is a global movement dedicated to spreading kindness and positivity. The mission is simple: make the world a happier place through small acts of kindness. Whether it’s paying for the order of the person behind you in the drive-thru, giving a genuine compliment to a stranger, or sending an uplifting message to a friend, these little things can brighten someone else’s day and create a ripple effect.
The movement began in 2012 as an initiative to spread kindness on World Smile Day. People from over 180 countries have now joined the Wave of Happy by pledging to do small acts of kindness and then sharing the impact on social media using the hashtag #waveofhappy. The goal is for people to inspire others through their stories and photos of kindness in action.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Give an extra generous tip to service staff
- Send an appreciation message to someone who made a difference in your life
- Donate unused items to a local charity or shelter
- Strike up a genuine conversation with someone who seems lonely
- Pay for the order of the person behind you at a drive-thru or coffee shop
- Send uplifting messages to friends or post positive quotes on social media
No act of kindness is too small to make a difference. Together, we can create a Wave of Happy that spreads across borders and lifts spirits around the globe. Join the movement and spread some joy! Let’s turn random acts of kindness into a daily habit.
The Origins and History of Wave of Happy
Wave of Happy started as an underground movement in the early 2010s. A few friends in Brazil were troubled by the negativity and partisan bickering they saw online and in the media. They wanted to spread more positivity and kindness.
In 2012, they launched an online campaign called “Wave of Happy” to encourage people to post kind messages, share inspiring stories, and spread good news. The movement grew through word of mouth and social media, gaining followers around the world.
By 2015, Wave of Happy had become a global phenomenon. People in over 100 countries had participated in “happy wave” events, where groups would get together to share kind deeds, exchange gifts, and spread joy in their local communities.
The core message of Wave of Happy is simple: focus on the good in life and spread more of it. Through small acts of kindness, compassion, and positivity, we can create ripple effects that make the world a happier place.
Today, Wave of Happy operates as a grassroots movement and global community. There are no membership fees or formal organizations. Anyone can participate by:
- Sharing positive stories and kind messages on social media
- Organizing or joining a “happy wave” event in their local community
- Performing small acts of kindness each day like giving compliments, volunteering, donating to charity, etc.
- Choosing to focus on the good in each situation and spread more of it
The Wave of Happy movement is a reminder that we can all make a difference through the power of positivity. Together, one wave of happiness at a time, we can change the world for the better.
How to Do the Wave of Happy Dance
The Wave of Happy is an easy dance move that anyone can do. All you need is some upbeat music and the willingness to spread some joy.
Find your song
Choose an upbeat song that makes you happy like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift or “Roar” by Katy Perry. Turn up the volume and get ready to dance!
Start moving
When the music starts, just start moving however feels good to you. Wave your arms, shake your hips, jump up and down. Forget any self-consciousness and let the music move you. Some easy moves to incorporate:
- Jump side to side or forward and back
- Twist your hips
- Pump your fists in the air
- Kick your feet
- Clap your hands
- Spin in a circle
The key is just to keep moving and have fun with it!
Spread the joy
As you’re dancing, make eye contact with people around you and wave them over to join in. Reach out your hands to pull them into your wave of happy. Spin them around or clap along to the beat together. Laugh, smile and dance with abandon.
Keep the wave going
Don’t let the song end stop your wave of happy. When the music fades, put on another upbeat song to keep the good vibes going. Dance from room to room, out on your porch or in the yard. Spread smiles and silliness wherever you go.
The Wave of Happy dance is all about spreading joy and lightening the mood. So turn up the tunes and start moving – your happiness and energy are contagious! Keep the wave of happy going for as long as you can.
Places You Can See the Wave of Happy
The Wave of Happy street art can be found throughout the world in many major cities. Here are some of the top spots where you’ll have the best chance of spotting one:
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is considered the street art capital of the world, and several Wave of Happy pieces have popped up on its walls over the years. Head to the suburbs of Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Brunswick to catch a glimpse of these cheerful characters.
London, England
London’s East End, especially the neighborhoods of Shoreditch and Hackney, have become a hub of street art. Look for Wave of Happy murals on brick walls along Shoreditch High Street and the car park at Dray Walk.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Kreuzberg and Neukölln districts are renowned for impressive street art. Meander through these eclectic neighborhoods to discover Wave of Happy works, often found on courtyard walls and alleyways. Popular spots include Urban Spree, an artist collective with an outdoor gallery space.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The barrios of Palermo, Villa Crespo and Colegiales in Buenos Aires have attracted street artists from around the world. Here you’ll find joyful Wave of Happy characters bringing color to concrete walls and metal shutters of abandoned buildings. Head to Plaza Serrano for an epicenter of murals.
Penang, Malaysia
The UNESCO World Heritage zone of George Town in Penang contains many examples of street art. While strolling through its maze of alleyways and streets, keep an eye out for Wave of Happy pieces that have started appearing in recent years, especially in hipster enclaves like Hin Bus Depot.
The fun thing about Wave of Happy is that new murals are always popping up. So get out there, explore, and who knows—you may just discover the next new location of these whimsical works of art. Spread the joy!
Wave of Happy FAQs
Have questions about Wave of Happy and how it works? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to help put your mind at ease.
What exactly is Wave of Happy?
Wave of Happy is a new mobile app designed to help boost your mood and increase feelings of joy and contentment. It uses a combination of music, affirmations, meditation, and journaling prompts to elevate your happiness levels and cultivate an optimistic mindset.
How does the app work?
The Wave of Happy app provides you with customized daily routines to brighten your day. You can choose from three program options:
- Quick Boost (10 mins): Listen to upbeat music and affirmations. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up.
- Midday Reset (20 mins): Includes guided meditation, journaling prompts and mood-boosting music. Recharges your mood and mindset.
- Evening Unwind (30 mins): A relaxing bedtime routine with soothing music, meditation and journaling to end your day on a positive note.
Do I need any special equipment?
All you need is your smartphone or tablet to download the free Wave of Happy app. Headphones are recommended but not required. An Internet connection is needed to download the app and audio content.
How much does Wave of Happy cost?
The Wave of Happy app is completely free to download and use. Optional in-app purchases include guided meditation packs and audiobooks for expanded content.
Will Wave of Happy share my personal information?
No, Wave of Happy does not share or sell any of your personal information or data. Your journal entries, mood ratings and listening history are kept private and only used to customize your experience within the app.
Wave of Happy aims to lift your mood and spread more joy and optimism. Let us know if you have any other questions!
Conclusion
So there you have it, friends. Everything you could ever want to know about the Wave of Happy trend that’s sweeping social media and bringing more positivity into our lives. Sure, some may see it as just another viral fad, but with so much negativity in the world today, having an excuse to spread a little joy can only be a good thing. Wave your arms, do a little dance, post that smiling selfie – whatever it takes to pass the happy along. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together, so let’s make the most of it and keep this wave rolling. Now go out there and make someone’s day brighter!