What's So Great About Happiness?
Monica McKitterick • August 18, 2022
“Without good health, there can be no Happiness.” Voltaire
That was centuries ago. Today, the opposite is happiness directly affects both physical and mental health.
Happiness is defined as a sense of joy, cohesion, and fulfillment, as Sonja Lyubomirsky describes in her book The How of Happiness, 2007. This month is celebrated as happiness awareness, to celebrate happiness wherever and in whatever form it appears.
Benefits of Being Happy
Research shows that happiness has great benefits on the body such as;
- Being happy makes you eat healthily
- Being happy makes you more active
- You sleep better when you are happy
- Reduces cases of High Blood Pressure
- Happiness lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases
- Your immune system gets stronger
- Long life is associated with being happy
Other benefits of happiness on the mind & spirit include:
- A happy feeling enhances your productivity levels
- Happiness enables you to be a better decision maker and problem solver as your brain isn't “stuck” as you make quick and sound decisions.
- Joy expands your thinking as you are more receptive
- Many people are drawn toward those who are happy
Ways of Finding Happiness
The past two years have been hard and catastrophic for many people globally. Although we cannot change the past, we can only look forward. It's important to look for moments of joy, cohesion, and fulfillment in our lives. We can achieve this by:
- Spending time in the company of people you love could be your grandchildren, children, a significant other, or friends.
- Being generous to strangers creates positive feelings for them and yourself.
- Supporting a cause that is important to you
- Taking time to do the things you are good at creates good vibes around you.
- Trying something new gives you a sense of achievement
- Spending time in spaces that bring you a sense of peace and calm
- Take time to spend in nature. Being outdoors elevates your moods & fuels your spirit
- Practice mindfulness by focusing on changing your mindset and thoughts. Remember, every situation has two sides, a positive & a negative. Focus on the +VE.
In conclusion, your happiness shouldn’t be mysterious. Know what works for you and what doesn’t, and remove the barriers that prevent your happiness. Your health and well-being are dependent on it. What does happiness mean to you? How do you celebrate it? Let us know.
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In celebration of the dedication and compassion nurses bring to their patients and communities, Impact Family Wellness is proud to honor local nurses serving Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, and Thorndale. As a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice founded and led by Family Nurse Practitioner Monica McKitterick, the clinic understands firsthand the impact nurses make in transforming everyday healthcare. “Our nurses are often the first to listen, the last to leave, and always the ones advocating for their patients,” said McKitterick. “At Impact Family Wellness, we’ve built our practice on those same principles—accessibility, trust, and care that goes beyond the chart. This recognition is just a small way to say thank you to the nurses who live those values every day.” Throughout this recent National Nurses Week and beyond, Impact Family Wellness is spotlighting nurses across its service areas through patient stories, staff highlights, and small tokens of appreciation. Whether in primary care, hospitals, schools, or home health, these nurses are often the backbone of a patient’s journey to wellness. Community members who want to show their support can consider: Participating in National Nurses Week events like “ Nurses Light Up the Sky ” to honor nurses' contributions. Volunteering at local clinics or hospitals to help lighten the load for nursing staff. Donating to nurse-focused fundraisers that support continuing education or wellness resources. Expressing gratitude through personal gestures —such as thank-you notes, care packages, or meals. Nurses align naturally with the DPC model because they prioritize building relationships, understanding patients’ unique needs, and providing timely, judgment-free care. In rural and suburban communities alike, their contributions help close gaps in the healthcare system—especially for those navigating chronic conditions or lacking access to affordable care. The team at Impact Family Wellness invites patients, families, and community members to join in recognizing the incredible nurses around them. Whether it’s a thank-you message, a shared memory, or a heartfelt compliment, every gesture counts in honoring the people who make healthcare more human. About Impact Family Wellness Impact Family Wellness is a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice dedicated to providing personalized, patient-centered healthcare in Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, and Thorndale, Texas. Founded by Family Nurse Practitioner Monica McKitterick, the practice offers affordable, accessible care without the constraints of traditional insurance. Through the DPC model, patients receive direct access to providers, longer appointment times, and transparent pricing. For more information, visit impactfamilywellness.com/ .
During Men’s Health Month, Impact Family Wellness emphasizes the importance of preventive care in helping men take control of their long-term health. From annual physicals to mental health support, the clinic highlights essential screenings and services that can detect health issues early and support better outcomes.