“Don’t worry, be happy” is easier said than done. Why is it important to be happy? How can you become a happier person? The stresses of life can cause you to feel worried, hopeless, and unhappy. Sometimes, it may even seem like the universe is conspiring against you. So, you might feel offended if someone asks you to choose happiness over worry. However, this seemingly insensitive comment is probably one of the best pieces of advice you can receive. Why? Because happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. The happier you are, the healthier you become, and vice versa. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so you should take steps to stay physically and mentally healthy. Fortunately, you can learn to be happier by taking specific actions. Before we look at these steps, let’s look at these 10 health benefits of happiness.
10 Health benefits of happiness
1) Lower blood pressure
Since we are at higher risk of high blood pressure and other chronic diseases as we get older, it becomes more important for us to stay happy and lower our risk of high blood pressure.
2) A healthier heart and lower risk of heart disease
Being happy makes your heart healthier and reduces your risk of heart disease.
3) Improved immune system
You become less susceptible to diseases, such as the common cold.
4) Reduced risk of stroke
Being happy can protect you against stroke as it reduces the risk of stroke in older adults.
5) Fewer aches and pains
Happier people dealing with chronic pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia, report fewer aches and pains than their less happy counterparts.
6) Better stress management
When you are happy, you manage and deal with stress better.
7) Promotes healthier behaviors
Being happy enables you to sleep better, eat well, exercise, and practice a healthy lifestyle.
8) Improved overall health
Happy people report fewer symptoms of ill health. Interestingly, one study shows that even if you are already happy, becoming happier leads to better physical health.
9) Longer lifespan
Being happy is linked to longevity and reduced risk of death, even in people already suffering from chronic illnesses.
10) Improved weight loss and better weight maintenance
Happiness increases serotonin, “the happy chemical,” levels in our brains. Serotonin helps moderate our impulse control. When you are happy, you are less likely to need or reach out for comfort foods.
Now that we are familiar with these 10 health benefits of happiness, what can we do to increase our happiness?
12 steps to becoming a happier person
Being happier can improve your mental and physical health and ward off feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. To increase your happiness and, hence, your health, practice the following:
1) Become a more positive person
Check your thoughts and continually renew your mind. Start seeing the best in people and your experiences.
2) Practice acts of kindness
By focusing on making others happy, you become a happier person.
Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way.
John Stuart Mill, 1873.
3) Be generous
Give your time, money, and other resources to help others. Generosity itself has several health benefits. For more on the health benefits of generosity, check out “Giving and your Health.”
4) Smile, even when you don’t feel like it
Smiling is free. It reduces stress and makes you happier. Interestingly, smiling, even when you are not happy, causes you to activate your smiling muscles. This, in turn, causes the release of dopamine and serotonin, both neurotransmitters linked to happiness. Practicing these affirmations, titled, “I Use My Smile to Conquer my Challenges” daily can help you get through a season of adversity and help you regain your smile.
5) Nurture good relationships
Connect and stay in touch with friends and people that bring out the best in you.
6) Stay away from bad relationships
Avoid toxic relationships or people that rub you off the wrong way.
7) Be content
Be content with what you have and with your life choices.
8) Practice gratitude
Gratitude alone has many health benefits. Check out “Thankful for the Little Things” to learn more about gratitude.
9) Find time to do what makes you happy
For some, it’s shopping. For others, it’s dancing or something else. Identify activities that make you happy and schedule time for them.
10) Pray and meditate
Prayer and meditation can elicit feelings of gratitude, joy, kindness, forgiveness, and hope, all of which make you happier. Meditation, by itself, also has several health benefits, and you can check out “13 Ways Meditation Can Improve Your Health” for more.
11) Be physically active
Exercise or go for a walk, even when you don’t feel like it. Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you happy.
12) Seek help
Finally, if you are experiencing signs of clinical depression, seek the appropriate professionals for help.
Final thoughts
“Without health, there can be no happiness” is a common saying. According to recent scientific studies, the opposite is also true. “Without happiness, there can be no health.” As a matter of fact, worry, sadness, and a troubled mind can lead to health problems. Sadly, there is no silver bullet or quick fix to becoming happier. Instead, we must be intentional about pursuing happiness amid life’s trials. Ultimately, we must take care of both our mental and physical health.
Deep down, everyone wants to be happy, but joy stealers are everywhere. You may have tried to be happy, but life keeps throwing you curveballs. Unfortunately, life’s curveballs are inevitable, as problems will never leave you. There will always be one obstacle or the other to overcome at any point in our lives. So what do we do? How can we hold on to our joy while we fight to overcome life’s obstacles? The 12 steps above will put you on a solid path to happiness and good health. For more on how to deal with life’s obstacles, please check out “Detour Ahead – How to successfully navigate life’s setbacks.”
Finally, I would like to leave you with the Bible passage below:
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] – John 16:33, AMP.
Please feel free to share this article and share your comments below.
Yours in health and fitness,
Doctor Abi.
Good write up on healthy living tips!