I know you must be thinking “what does happiness have to do with fitness and health?” According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.” Thus, our overall health depends on how we feel on a daily basis. Unfortunately, our hectic lifestyles can sometimes get in the way of our well-being.
Chronic stress is one of the major contributors to mental dysfunctions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Moreover, experts warn that nurturing negative emotions can lead to the development of many chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, several studies point out that health and longevity may be influenced by our mood states. Optimism and emotional vitality (characterized by enthusiasm, hopefulness, life engagement, and ability to cope with stress) have been linked to many positive health outcomes such as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and improved immune function.
What does happiness mean? Even though many of us associate happiness with instant pleasure, positive psychologists believe that it is more than a fleeting feeling. Marty Seligman, who is considered the father of positive psychology, states that well-being is composed of five elements: positive emotions, engagement in life, positive relationships, meaning of life, and feelings of accomplishment. Also, keep in mind that real happiness is not merely the absence of negative feelings but is the ability to deal with unpleasant situations. It seems that to cultivate happiness, it is important to maintain a positive attitude about life. Gratitude, optimism, positive affection, and self-esteem are largely correlated with happiness and life satisfaction. Furthermore, researchers suggest that external factors such as money, beauty, and health contribute to only about 10% of our happiness. This means that, despite common belief, the power to achieve real happiness is inside us. Our well-being is determined by the way we perceive and approach the world.
Can we boost happiness? According to Lyubomirsky, researcher and author on happiness, 50% of our happiness is determined by genetics, which unfortunately, we can’t change. The good news is that we have about 40% of our happiness under our control. So, what can we do to become happier? Here are a few strategies to improve your well-being in the long run.
- Say thank you more often. Research has shown that happy people are more comfortable expressing gratitude than those who are generally unhappy.
- Envision a positive future for yourself. As stated before, optimism seems to be closely related to happiness and life satisfaction.
- Accept who you are and try not to compare yourself to others. According to the book “Be Happy: Release the Power of Happiness in You,” happiness “is your true nature (…) what you experience when you accept yourself.” Let’s face it. There are many things we can’t change about ourselves. So, instead of fighting them, just accept them.
- Help others. It seems that acts of kindness can increase your own happiness.
- Surround yourself with loving and supportive people. Create positive relationships.
- Practice activities you truly love. The goal is to experience the “flow,” which is the state of pure enjoyment that you get when you are deeply engaged in an activity.
- Take care of your body. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and learning to cope with stress. Remember that when your body is strong and healthy, you have one more reason to be happy.
References
Monroe, M. “The Happiness Factor.” IDEA Fitness Journal. June 2012.
Peterson, C. A Primer in Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. 2006.