About Tracking Happiness

They say that everyone you meet is engaged in a great struggle. No matter how well someone manages to hide it, there’s always something to overcome, a struggle to deal with, an obstacle to climb.

With so many struggles to overcome, it can feel hard to stay happy. And what’s more important than your happiness? No matter how happy you currently are, we are here to help you.

Our goal is to help you better manage your happiness.

Tracking Happiness is dedicated to exploring every aspect of mental health and happiness, addressing them with openness and depth because we’re here for your entire journey — for your entire life. Recognizing that each person faces unique challenges in their pursuit of happiness, we listen intently and lead with empathy in all our interactions. Our approach is deeply rooted in personal experiences and a strong commitment to inclusivity, reflecting our understanding and shared experiences with you.

We invite you to delve into the wealth of resources Tracking Happiness offers — from our insightful articles and case studies to our newsletter and community.

Thank you for joining us on this journey,

The Tracking Happiness Team


Our Team

Whether you’re here to gain insights into your happiness journey, understand more about mental health, utilize our tools, or engage with our community, you’ve found the right place.

At Tracking Happiness, you’ll discover content that is not only informative and accessible but also deeply engaging and inspiring. More than that, you’ll find a compassionate team of experts and enthusiasts who genuinely care about your well-being and happiness.

hugo huijer

Hugo Huijer

FOUNDER & AUTHOR

I’m the founder of Tracking Happiness, which I started in an effort to find like-minded people from all over the world. I interviewed over 100 people about mental health struggles, in an effort to destigmatize mental health issues. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

Maili Tirel

AUTHOR

School psychologist, teacher, and internet counselor from Estonia. Passionate about coffee, reading, dancing, and singing in the shower, much to the neighbors’ dismay. Counseling catchphrase: “It’s okay!“

ashley bunting portrait

Ashley Kaiser

AUTHOR

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

ali wyllie portrait

Ali Hall

AUTHOR

Kindness is my superpower. Dogs and nature are my oxygen. Psychology with Sports science graduate. Scottish-born and bred. I’ve worked and traveled all over the world. Find me running long distances on the hills and trails.

madel portrait

Madel Asuncion

AUTHOR

Writer and advocate for young people’s mental health. Firm believer of validating one’s feelings, prioritizing the inner-self, and finding happiness in a plate of chicken curry.

Silvia Adamyova portrait

Silvia Adamyova

AUTHOR

Born in Slovakia, raised in Canada. Online English teacher, editor, copywriter, and translator. You’ll find me holed up in a bookstore, typing in a cafe, or immersed in a philosophical debate.

Read our founder story of Hugo Huijer here.


Our Case Studies

At Tracking Happiness, we’re dedicated to helping others around the world overcome struggles of mental health.

In 2022, we published a survey of 5,521 respondents and found that 88% of our respondents experienced mental health issues in the past year. Even worse, 25% of people don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles with anyone, not even their closest friends.

It’s clear that most people you meet are engaged in a struggle. No matter how well someone manages to hide it, there’s always something to overcome, a struggle to deal with, an obstacle to climb.

We are on a mission to share your stories of overcoming mental health struggles. By doing so, we want to help inspire you to overcome the things that you’re struggling with, while also breaking the stigma of mental health.

DUVII
Grief
Mark
Anxiety
Laurie
Depression
Michelle
Depression
Emily
Stress
Catharine
Anxiety
Sofia
Anxiety
Rebecca
Eating disorder
Krystal
Anxiety
Niki
Depression
Madel
Anxiety
Kelly
Depression
Margaret
Anxiety
Alana
ADHD
Juan
Depression
Andy
Depression
MaryAddison
Depression
Skye
Negative body image
Alison
Anxiety
Nika
Depression
Monica
Psychosis
Brandon
Anxiety
Julie
Fear of flying
Sarah
Negative body image
Erik
PTSD
Cyn
Grief
Ali
Grief
Melody
Abuse
Kathy
Anxiety
Mary
Anxiety
Jade
Anxiety
Lark
Postpartum depression
Angela
Depression
Michelle
Depression
Veena
Depression
Ayman
Breakup
Ron
Abuse
Rodrigo
Abuse
Collin
Depression
Kelly
Panic attacks
Alex
Depression
Alana
Negative body image
Sam
Childhood
Nevin
Chronic worry
Morgan
Cerebral palsy
Thomas
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Zain
Anxiety
Andrea
Suicidal
DeVannon
Homelessnesss
Claire
Stress
Christian
Stress
Isabel
Anxiety
Sheryl
Anxiety
Nikki
Depression
Hugo
Insomnia
Richard
Identity crisis
Sonia
Addiction
Haeun
Assault
Bayu
Feeling lost
Cherie
Eating disorder
Sarah
Panic attacks
Teresa
Panic attacks
Lydia
Autism
Mike
Depression
Bob
PTSD
Maria
Anxiety
Bryan
Anxiety
Jonathan
Addiction
Mary
Anxiety
Wendy
Anxiety
Robyn
Anxiety
Lacey
Panic attacks
Amanda
Divorce
Puneet
Stress
Daniel
Anxiety
Keaton
Grief
Evander
Bullying
Jessica
Childhood
Francisco
Psychosis
Elijah
Depression
Ashley
Anxiety
Stephanie
Anxiety
Anna
OCD
Chiara
Anxiety
Debbie
Anxiety

No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve struggled with, we want to share your story. Please visit this page to learn more.


As Seen On


Our Work

We take this seriously. Whenever we come across a topic that lacks information, we don’t just fill in the blanks. Instead, we get to work and collect data to find a trustworthy answer.

Over the years, we’ve released studies and surveys that have revealed new insights about happiness and mental health.

Like this one about remote work and happiness. Or this one about vegan diets and happiness.

We’re proud that our work is discussed, shared, and featured all over the world.

tracking happiness team illustration

What About Fact-Checking?

We are committed to the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in our content. Every statement made on our website is meticulously fact-checked and supported by authoritative studies. This dedication to truth extends beyond initial publication.

Every quarter, our team conducts a thorough review of all facts and references mentioned across our content. This rigorous process ensures that every piece of information remains current and relevant. Through this continuous updating, we maintain an ever-evolving backlog of happiness facts and studies, providing you with the most trustworthy and up-to-date insights into mental health and happiness.


Our Community

One of the core pillars of Tracking Happiness is our vibrant online community. We believe that the strength and growth of our platform are deeply rooted in the sense of community we foster. Your interaction and engagement are not just welcomed – they are essential.

This is why we have enabled comments on all our pages, creating spaces for open, supportive discussions and shared experiences. Our email subscribers are always just a reply button away from direct contact with us, ensuring a continuous and personal connection.

Moreover, we actively involve our community through periodic surveys. These surveys are more than just questionnaires; they are a window into what truly makes our followers happy. This feedback is invaluable, helping us tailor our content and tools to better serve your needs and deepen our collective understanding of happiness.


Our Editorial Process And AI

At Tracking Happiness, we prioritize the authentic human element in our content.

While AI tools offer efficiency, they lack the depth and empathy required for topics as sensitive as mental health and happiness. That’s why we do not use AI to write our articles. Each piece is crafted by real people, ensuring authenticity and accuracy. Our writers and experts bring personal insights, fact-checked information, and actionable advice to every article.

By focusing on human-driven content, we provide relatable, empathetic, and genuinely helpful resources, steering clear of the pitfalls of AI-generated content in the mental health space.

Finally, we try to include real examples and stories from our community. Mental health advice can often seem unactionable and ambiguous. We always aim to give you actual steps to help you incorporate best practices into your life.


Terms of Use

Our content and tools are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911. If you or any other person are feeling suicidal or are in immediate crisis – don’t depend on Tracking Happiness for help.


37 thoughts on “About Tracking Happiness”

  1. Hugo – My name is Hubert Allen, American in New Mexico – huge thanks for your work. I am a statistician who found you in a search long ago about a happiness scale – the search took me to you and I have read your stories and enjoyed your sunday mailing. Thanks very much!!!!
    Sincerely
    Hubert Allen, New Mexico USA 11/18/24

    Reply
    • Hi Dave, we are compensated in various ways, mostly through our advertising platform and the ads they serve on our content. That said, what you’re seeing on this website is mostly a result of a shared passion for mental health!

      Reply
      • Hmmm…
        Thank you for your prompt reply. Given mental health support must be trauma informed, the identity of sponsors and partners may be an issue for some of us. I recommend financial transparency and full disclosure for those of us needing a measure of assurance.

        Reply
  2. Hello, I am mother of 3 and a working. I work remote and take care of two toddlers. but it is very exhausting and I don’t feel happy anymore. everyday I am thinking I am a step further from the person I always wanted to be.

    Reply
  3. Thank you so much for your website. Overcoming lifelong trauma and ptsd is a sort of purpose! It impacts me and all those around me, the collective energy. 🙂
    Enough about that. Understanding, identifying and/or acknowledging what generates ‘happy’ feelings. A paradigm shift for sure and a positive one. Any input on techniques or tools to think about what happiness feels like, how to recognize it? The mere thought of identifying happiness feels hopeful and positive!

    Reply
  4. I just discovered your website and I already love it SO MUCH. Also as a fellow school psychologist, I love that you have one on staff… and we have the same counseling motto! “It’s okay!”

    Reply

Leave a Comment