Does your health impact your happiness, or is it the other way round? Do happy people really live longer? Are health and happiness two sides of a coin, then? Yes. The plain truth is health and happiness are interdependent and the winning combination to a fit, fun, and fabulous life. So, let’s dive deeper into the science behind Health and Happiness.
While people associate happiness with extrinsic factors like income, relationships, age, and status, research suggests good health is by far the most potent indicator of happiness. And conversely, happy people are significantly healthier. Yes, the mind-body connection is real and way more profound than one can imagine. Numerous studies have revealed a strong relationship between happiness and health, with happy people tending to have lower rates of anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses.
In his book Authentic Happiness, Martin Seligman, the father of Positive Psychology, states that “Experiences that induce positive emotion cause negative emotion to dissipate rapidly. The strengths and virtues…function to buffer against misfortune and against psychological disorders, and they may be the key to building resilience.”
Still wondering if happiness truly wields such magical powers or if it’s all hype and no substance?
Here’s some science-backed research to prove the health and happiness connection. Happiness:
1) Promotes a healthy lifestyle:
Yes, that’s true. Happy people eat healthier, embracing the goodness of fruits and veggies. They are more physically active, indulge in regular exercise, and have improved sleep hygiene.
2) Boosts immune system:
Happiness boosts your immune system. A study from Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, found that happy people are less likely to catch a cold. The unhappy ones were 3x more susceptible to colds. The science at play here is that happiness impacts the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) that regulates the immune system, stress levels, and digestion. Why depend on external boosters for immunity when we have the all-natural, ever-in-stock happiness right within our reach?
3) Reduces pain perception:
Happy people have better coping mechanisms. They experience lower pain intensity and have higher tolerance levels. Research reveals that even in people with chronic pain conditions, positive well-being habits like good sleep hygiene, mindfulness, gratitude, movement and mobility, and a good dose of laughter help lower their dependence on medication and dramatically reduce their pain perception. So, get addicted to happiness and not your OTC painkiller.
4) Combats Stress:
Stress can mess with your mind and body in ways unimaginable. And there is no magical Ctrl + Alt + Del to terminate stress from your system. But physical activity and meditation are foolproof ways to combat stress. But what about most people who don’t incorporate both into their daily routine? Science says happiness lowers stress-inducing cortisol levels.
5) Impacts optimism and longevity:
True that. Happy and optimistic people live longer, so says a study that reveals happier people live an average of 7.5 years longer than unhappy people. Looking at the glass as half empty or full is the best way to judge optimism/pessimism.
Pessimist or optimist? Growth mindset or fixed mindset? Which one do you have? Read this blog on Mindset Matters for a Happier Life to know more.
6) Is good for the heart:
A significant body of research supports that happiness lowers blood pressure (releasing dopamine) and is strongly connected to improved cardiovascular health. Happy hearts are at a 22% lower risk of heart disease. Now you see the wisdom in “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
The Mind-Body Connection:
There is no disputing the fact that happiness has a fortifying effect on our overall health. But is it possible to be happy always? Yes, the power to be happy lies within you.
Health and happiness are inextricably linked. The drivers of your happiness are far more internal than external, far more within you than outside you. Your mindset and internal stability are critical drivers of your state of bliss. Internal stability determines the quality of your thoughts. Your thoughts drive action and also the release of chemicals.
If something triggers me, if I manage the trigger effectively and stay calm, I continue to be in a happy state. But if I let that trigger hijack me, then the chemicals in my system get imbalanced, causing anxiety and stress.
Hence, a large part of our happiness is driven by the feel-good chemicals within our system. So, hack the happiness hormones to stay happy always.
- Release Oxytocin with positive social bonds (hold hands, snuggle a pet, hug your spouse)
- Stimulate Serotonin release with a walk, a swim, meditation, or anything that uplifts your mood
- Release Endorphins with movement and exercise to diminish your pain perception
- Trigger Dopamine release with self-care and celebrate your wins.
It is a balance of these hormones that drives your state of happiness. To maintain that precarious balance, think positive thoughts that drive positive actions and give positive outcomes.
If you underestimated the power of happiness, it’s time to reevaluate your definition of happiness and cultivate new habits that support happiness. And for those who understand the importance of happiness but don’t know how to embrace new and happy habits, this blog on Habit Stacking is just for you.
Stay happy, stay healthy, the Happiness Habits Way.