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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A viral Instagram video recently sparked concern after Dr. Sermed Mezher demonstrated how a simple scoop of dry chia seeds—once swallowed and chased with water—swelled in the esophagus and caused a dangerous blockage . It’s not the first time a wellness trend has outpaced the science behind it. Chia seed water, praised on TikTok for its so-called “internal shower” effects, has quickly gone from smoothie staple to internet sensation. But behind the aesthetic glass jars and lemon slices lies a very real question: is this actually good for your digestive health, or are we ignoring the risks? Monica McKitterick, FNP-C, founder and CEO of Impact Family Wellness , shares her take on the trending “internal shower” craze, the biology, and what patients need to know before jumping on the chia water bandwagon.
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