Wellness Tip of the Week; Be Happy! by Katheryn Howell, Director Wesley Homes Community Health Services August is Admit you’re happy month and A great time to highlight the health benefits of a happy state of mind. Research data show that positive mood, optimism and humor are linked to better health and well-being. —WE CAN increase our happiness! Here are some helpful suggestions on how you might increase your state of happiness; Use relaxation techniques to release tension. Meditate or pray. Meditation or prayer can improve your sense of calm and wellness. People who express religious or spiritual faith also report being happier. Express gratitude. Expressing gratitude is a demonstrated way of fostering happiness. Researchers have found that people who regularly write down things for which they are grateful in “gratitude journals” have increased satisfaction in life, higher energy levels, and improved health. Engage regularly with people you enjoy. People who engage in meaningful conversations with friends or family report being happier than those who don’t. Close interpersonal ties and strong social support are crucial for happiness. Investigators recently showed that the capacity for loving relationships was the strongest predictor for life satisfaction in men. Lastly; happiness is contagious: Having a happy friend or family member who lives within a mile of you appears to increase the probability, up to 15 percent in one study, that you will be happy, too. More information on this important topic can be found at; http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/03/27/how-happiness-affects-your-health/
