At the end of 2016 there was an important conference held at Harvard University. The theme was on the question “Can Happiness Lead toward Health?” “The ironic thing about modern health care is that it isn’t really about health at all,” said Laura Kubzaansky, a professor of Social and Behavioral Science at the Harvard Center for Health and Happiness. “It’s about disease care.”
The conference discussed findings that there is a connection between well-being and health, finding that people who had a greater enjoyment of life lived longer and had more disability-free years. Further work explored why people who are more satisfied with life are more likely to exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, sleep better, and are less likely to abuse harmful substances. Other studies indicated that those who report being less happy have higher levels of the stress hormone Cortisol.
The adrenal glands, perched on top of the kidneys, make Cortisol in an attempt to help your body handle stressful situations. While a little Cortisol is good (fight or flight energy) in response to short-term stressors, it becomes a health problem when the body starts making too much, too often. Constant stress and high Cortisol levels are related to unhealthy issues like a low immune system, damage to the circulatory system, and weakened bones.
A recent study released in April 2017 found Louisiana to be second to only Alabama as having citizens with the most stress. Researchers looked at four categories: work related stress, money related stress, family related stress, and health and safety related stress. Little surprise that Louisiana ranked first in the category of job related stress.
Anyone experiencing too much stress in their lives needs to make some changes. Sure, this is easier said than done - but it is doable. Making an appointment with your doctor to examine your Cortisol levels, among other health issues, and visiting with clergy or positive friends is an important place to begin.
Worrying can be helpful when it inspires one to take action and solve problems. However, when it becomes unrelenting and consuming with a focus always on worst case scenarios, worry becomes the problem. Research has shown that worry drains emotional energy, sends anxiety levels soaring and can interfere with daily life. Chronic worrying is a mental habit that can be broken - like other bad habits, it takes discipline and motivation. It has been shown that we can train our brains to stay calm (deep breaths) and look at life, not with a negative expectation, but from a more positive perspective.
Many experts agree that the single most important key to health, happiness, and longevity is avoiding worry, stress and tension. It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Nothing wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.”
Research will continue to point out that happiness and health are connected. Make it a goal to be more satisfied with your life - to be happy and thus healthier. Proven ways to be happier is to count your blessings daily and do something good for someone else every chance you get.
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.“
- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
From POV Magazine May 2017
