"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence."
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said these priceless words more than 2,000 years ago but they still ring true today. So, can being happy and joyful lead to better health and wellbeing?
Happiness is a broad term that describes the experience of positive emotionssuch as joy, contentment and satisfaction. Emerging research shows that being happier doesn’t just makeyou feel better, it actually brings a host of potential health benefits too.
Being happy promotes a wide range of lifestyle habits that are important for overall health. Happy people tend to follow a healthier dietwith higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have consistently been associated with a range of health benefits, including lower risks of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
Healthy people engage in regular physical activities that help build strong bones, increase energy levels, decrease body fat and lower blood pressure. Being happier may also improve sleep habits and practices, which is important for concentration, productivity, exercise, peak performance and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Happiness can also boost the immune system, which is important for overall health. Research has shown that being happier may help keep your immune system strong, which may help reduce your risk of developing cold and chest infections.
Being happy may help reduce stress levels as normallyexcess stress causes an increase in levels of cortisol, a hormone that contributes to many of the harmful effects of stress, including disturbed sleep, weight gain, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. A number of studies demonstrate that cortisol levels tend to be lower in people who are happier.
Happiness may protect the heart by reducing blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. It can also reduce the risk of various kinds of heart diseases, the biggest cause of death worldwide. Happiness may help you live longer. It may help you reduce pain, which appears to be particularly effective in chronic pain conditions such as arthritis. In short, being happy promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Not a happy news though – India was ranked 136 out of the 146 countries in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report2022. Join hands with us at Aall Well Solutions, where we not only help you understand your genetic makeup but also provide a vibrant environment of human empowerment that can inspire you to be happy, joyful and enthusiastic. We need you to be happy and make others happy. Let us be happy and experience healthy living.