Can cultivating happiness actually make you healthier?
According to well-founded research about the connection between body and mind, the answer is resounding: Yes! Research in psychoneuroimmunology indicates that our mood and life outlook have a significant impact on our physical health. Reduced happiness is not only a result of poor health, but also potentially contributes to disease risk.
The impact of happiness on health
A positive outlook on life is associated with this reduced mortality, improved immunityand adopting healthier lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise. Among a host of other benefits, people who reported higher levels of happiness also slept more deeply and showed lower cortisol levels.
Additionally, research shows that mood can influence the body’s ability to respond to insects and germs. In one studyOlder adults who reported greater mood disturbance (anger, fatigue, confusion) had worse cytokine responses, while those who reported greater strength and optimism had greater cytokine responses.
How to create more happiness in your life
Happiness includes feelings of joy and pleasure, a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and life satisfaction. Here are seven ways to increase happiness in your life:
Connect with people you love. This could be a phone call, a text, or FaceTime if connecting in person isn’t an option.
Get started with it fully. Research by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly shows that people experience the greatest satisfaction when they are fully absorbed and focused on what they are doing.
Smile more. Studies shows that the more you laugh, the healthier you are. Intentionally surround yourself with whoever and whatever makes you laugh, whether that’s friends and family or funny cat videos on the internet.
Express gratitude. If you don’t have one yet, start a gratitude journal and write down five specific things you are grateful for today.
Go outside. Being in nature promotes mental and physical well-being. Plan a 30-minute walk and be present to the sights and sounds around you.
To serve someone. Be nice to someone. Share words of encouragement. Volunteer. Caring for others provides a sense of purpose and increases life satisfaction.
Know what won’t make you happy. People can be bad at judging what makes them happy. Research shows that money and material things, childhood and having children are common misconceptions in this category.
Determine what really brings you happiness and make time for it in your calendar. Prioritizing happiness may be one of the best things you can do for your health!
Writer Katie Gerber is a holistic health and nutrition coach who serves clients both locally and online. In 2014, she completed Aviva Romm’s Herbal Medicine for Women certification. After hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 and the Colorado Trail in 2016, Katie decided to use her knowledge of botanical medicine and nutrition to help fellow wilderness enthusiasts in their quest for more energy and better health. She transitioned from her career as a pastry chef and enrolled at the Institute for Transformational Nutrition. She now uses her lifelong passion for holistic health with her background in culinary arts to help people live healthier lives, in tune with nature. Katie writes for various publications and speaks at local events. When she’s not writing and working with clients, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, in the garden, or in the kitchen testing recipes. Read more about Katie, her articles and her adventures on her website.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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