Did you know that YOU have the power to make yourself happier?
I know, everyone wishes for things like lots of money and a mate that looks like Brad Pitt, or Megan Fox.
But do these things bring about happiness? And even if we did have those things, would we be happy?
For some of us, happiness may be more harder to find.
When we are stuck in the middle of dreary weather (or blazing hot weather), a bad economy, no job, little money, and rising prices, it can all be very overwhelming.
Although happiness is the one emotion we all seek, it also is one of the least understood.
While scientists, doctors and researchers have studied in depth the negative emotions of anger, anxiety, fear, and depression–and how to get rid of these emotions–they have spent little time studying happiness, and how to increase this positive emotion.
It's been found that over half of a person's tendency for happiness, hopefulness, and positive emotion is based on nature or purely genetic makeup. But that leaves the other half–which has to do with experiences, emotions, upbringing and one's own ability to MAKE oneself happy.
Just making a habit of looking for the good side in people, events or circumstances can actually make one more optimistic.
Happiness is a learned behavior.
Many people, including myself are able to maintain optimism and confidence–in spite of everything.
This ability to survive and even thrive in the face of stress and adversity is the process of 'coping'. Seemingly negative events can be turned into a positive as we become even more resiliant and resourceful.
Happiness, is a biological need born out of necessity. It is something our brains crave, seek out and create.
Did you know that happiness is contagious?
Yes, it is true. The more happy people you know, the more likely you are yourself to be happy. The key here is to surround yourself with happy people and to stay in contact with friends, spouses, loved ones, neighbors and other acquaintances. The more social connections you have, the happier you will be.
Happy people not only have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is at least partially responsible for illness and disease, but they have higher levels of immune function.
So you see, happiness has an effect not only on your mental health, but your physical health as well.
Happiness has important positive effects on pain reduction, lower blood pressure, improved cardiac function and reduced mortality.
We can train ourselves to be happy, by practicing certain ways of thinking and behaving; expressing gratitude, following life goals, being true to ourselves, practicing optimism, investing in healthy relationships, and paying attention to those little things that make us smile. Surround yourself with happy people, and stay in touch with your loved ones.
Don't forget to hug, touch and laugh often! A human touch can lift spirits, relax tension and create a positive outlook like nothing else can.
And one last thing– don't forget to smile.
Smiling, even if you are not happy, will actually make you FEEL happier.
To Your Happiness! 🙂
Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled "The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation" that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.
Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever. Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.
Sources:
Reuters; Maggie Fox,"Happiness is Contagious", Health and Science Editor, December 5, 2008.
Amy Ellis Nutt, "How to be Happier-Research Shows We have the Power to Change", New Jersey Star-Ledger , October 09, 2008,
Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled "The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation" that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.