Happiness leads to healthiness. The Dalia Lama said, “Happiness is the highest form of health.” He was right, if you think about happiness doesn’t just affect our emotional health but our physical health as well.
Being happy has a positive impact on one’s health. When we are happier, we eat better, are more active, and sleep better. Think about it. When people are upset, they may eat their sorrows away with something unhealthy or have no appetite to eat at all. If someone is unhappy, it can be an excuse to lie in bed or lounge on the couch streaming movies instead of being active. It’s common for people to lose sleep when they’re stressed or unhappy about something. Being happy affects all these aspects that play a role in our health.
Happiness is good for the heart because people engage in healthier habits, which help to lower blood pressure and reduce excess body fat. When we are happy, we are less stressed, and our immune system is stronger. When people are happier, they feel less pain. There are a multitude of health benefits from being happy.
Feeling happy doesn’t just always come easy. Sometimes, people don’t even realize that they’re being negative and aren’t truly happy. There is no one key to happiness but multiple factors that can affect it. Breaking negative habits and developing positive habits that contribute to happiness involve a matter of self-reflection and being consistent working on developing healthy habits while making appropriate changes.
A way to help increase happiness, you can start thinking about the different types of happiness including joy, love, gratitude, optimism, excitement, and contentment. What are the different things that make you feel each one? What interferes with feeling happy? What are some things you need to let go of or change?
Not every emotion is happy. You need to work through the negative feelings and process them in healthy ways. Practice focusing on the positive daily. That can include listing 3-5 things you’re grateful for each day to feel gratitude. It could be a matter of focusing on the positive parts in unfavorable and bad situations to develop optimism. Find and engage in the things that bring you joy. Build healthy relationships, set boundaries to protect yourself, and end things with those who are toxic.
Also, do things specifically for your health. Exercise can help to release endorphins. An acupuncture treatment from a licensed acupuncturist is a great way to relax. It helps to treat your health concerns, while addressing your underlying constitution. People often feel healthier and happier from routine acupuncture treatments.
Let yourself be happy and do what you can to improve and maintain your health. Radiate health and happiness.
