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The Importance Of Happiness: 6 Ways Being Happy Makes You Healthier

The importance of happiness goes way beyond just feeling happy…

Researched, written by Amber & The Team
Updated on July 9, 2023

// Related to Happiness Cultivation Mental Health Physical Health

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Images via depositphotos

Happiness feels awesome.

It’s our ultimate goal in life.

But did you know that importance of happiness goes way beyond just feeling happy?

It does!

The ability to experience happiness is an extremely important asset for your health.

Importance Of Happiness: Why You Need Joy In Order To Be Healthy

IMAGES VIA DEPOSITPHOTOS

There are many health benefits of being happier.

Scientists have studied the connection between happiness and good health. Surprisingly (or not), they found a ton of connections between the level of happiness, health, and life expectancy.

In general, people who are happier have fewer emotional and physical health problems.

They tend to live longer and have fewer serious medical problems including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Let’s take a deeper look at this!

1. Happiness Improves Your Immunity

One of the biggest benefits of happiness is that it improves immune system functioning.

It is well known that the beneficial effects of laughter far outweigh any benefits of exercise.

But living life happily can go as far as boosting your immune system and the result is a more resistant body that can ward off sickness.

Here’s how.

When we’re experiencing unpleasant emotions or feelings, we get stressed. Stress and anxiety tend to weaken the immune system. On the other hand, when you are happier, you experience less stress and your immune system works better.

This means that a person who is under less stress and anxiety is more likely to be healthier and live longer.

It can also mean a lower risk of colds, flu, and other illnesses and diseases that are kept under control by our immune system.

2. Happiness Makes Your Heart Healthier

Being mentally healthy is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

A healthy, happy mind can help to prevent the development of heart disease as well as help people feel better and have more positive emotions.

• It has been proven that people who are happy and experience positive emotions have a greater amount of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), a higher quality of sleep, and lesser amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone that is linked to heart disease).
• Other studies have shown that those who are happy tend to have higher amounts of serotonin.

  These levels are shown to decrease stress hormone cortisol, and again – having lower amounts of cortisol may lower the chances of developing serious health conditions (such as high blood pressure and diabetes).

3. Happiness Gives You Energy!

The importance of happiness touches your energy too.

Being more physically active is another benefit of being a happy person.

It has been found that those who are feeling happier tend to have lower levels of fatigue, depression, and pain.

They also had higher energy levels and a greater sense of well-being – all of which encourage you to be active and enjoy your body moving.

4. Happy People Live Longer

Probably one of the most important health benefits of being happier is increased life longevity. Those who are happy tend to live longer. Overall life satisfaction and expectancy are higher for those who are feeling happier in life.

Of course, there are other factors that can affect life longevity, but one can assume that living a happier, more positive, and more contented life can certainly help contribute to a longer lifespan.

5. The Social Importance Of Happiness

Being socially active has been found to be one of the main benefits of being happier.

It seems that those who are in successful relationships are happier than those who are not.

Also, those who are involved in charitable activities are happier than others, as well as those who love giving other people gifts!

6. Happiness Can Lead You To Health Improvement Luxuries

Finally, there are other health benefits of being happy.

When you are happy, you are more likely to be a successful person in all aspects of your life.

You are also more likely to be successful at work as well.

In addition, a happy person is more likely to have high self-esteem and higher confidence levels.

High self-esteem and confidence can lead to better career success and can lead to a higher income as well.

More money means more activities that boost your health, a better diet, more access to wellness and fitness retreats.

Importance Of Happiness Is Directly Connected To Our Health

So it’s pretty obvious that if we want to live longer and have lower health care costs, we need to be happy.

That doesn’t mean we need to fake it, but we can certainly try to find more happiness in small things in life.

We can appreciate life more.

We can be kinder to ourselves and to others.

We can live in the moment, without looking back, or obsessing over the future.

Related: 69 Ways To Start Living Happier – Today!

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Amber & The Team

Co-authors at ShineSheets.com

"We love to research problems, examine studies, analyze solutions, and present to you the best ideas that make life healthier. You can learn about our editorial standards here.

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