Archive for Health
CIGARETTES AND HAPPINESS
Posted by: | CommentsWhich do you think takes more years off your life? Cigarette smoking or being unhappy?
When I first was asked this question, I thought the answer would be cigarette smoking–after all, in the last few years, the media has been hammering us with all the nefarious facts of just how unhealthy cigarette smoking is.
But, as you’ve probably guessed by now, being happy is the horse to bet on. Recent studies have shown that although cigarette smoking will take 3 years off your life, being unhappy will take a full 9 years off your life! That’s six more years!
To my way of thinking, who cares if you live longer if you’re not happy anyway? It’s like having a fridge full of the flavour of ice cream you don’t care for… so what?
So, there are two important facts here…. being happy not only will extend your life significantly but it will make those years far more satisfying.
May you be happy!
Karen
RESILIENCE
Posted by: | CommentsIf you read the last post, you heard about the interesting study that proves happy people are more resilient. In the study, happy people were able to put their hands in a jar of ice water and hold it there longer than people who weren’t happy.
Here are some other characteristics that happy people have:
* They live longer.
* They are healthier.
* They’re more likely to be leaders in their field.
* They are more likely not only to BE married but to STAY married.
So, getting yourself happy may sound like something fluffy, something that really isn’t very important, a kind of EXTRA thing to do in life, but it’s really of central importance.
Unfortunately, many people think happiness is something that has to come from outside of them. But the truth is, you came into the world with lots of happiness already inside you. Becoming happier is more about letting go of all that covers it up than trying to install something new.
If you want to explore this, here’s an exercise for you. Today, just notice the small things you feel happy about. And notice also, what take away your happiness–what thoughts, activities, feelings… This is a very revealing exercise, one that will help you get more in touch with how easy it is to ‘cultivate’ happiness.
For me, one of my small happinesses is a cup of hot lemon –I’m going to give it my full attention for a few moments now. More later.
HAPPINESS: COLD AND WET
Posted by: | CommentsHAPPINESSANYWAY.COM PRESENTS:
HAPPINESS: COLD AND WET
Okay, here’s a question for you. In a British study, two groups of people were asked to plunge their bare hands into ice cold water. One group had scored high on a happiness test and the other group scored low.
Which group do you think showed more resilience?
The group who were happy!!
This isn’t surprising. Being happy is like having money in the bank. If you get hit with a couple of unexpected expenditures, no problem–you can handle them.
Same with stress. If you have emotional health in the bank, so to speak, you’ll be able to handle any energy withdrawals more easily whether those have to do with coping with your bare hand in cold water or someone shouting at you.
If you still doubt what I’m saying, think about winning a lottery. Do you think you’d care if someone cut you off on the highway as you drove home from picking up your cheque? I rest my case.
