How Your Happiness Can Impact Your Health

We’re all living through truly unprecedented times. From dealing with a global pandemic to processing national political unrest, it’s no surprise that many people are also experiencing mental health struggles as well. Despite how common these struggles are, it can be hard for many to prioritize their happiness. But you should, and here’s how happiness can impact your health.

How Happiness Can Benefit Your Health

If you’re feeling happy and stress-free, here are the ways your physical and mental health can benefit.

Boosts your immune system.
Decreases risk for cardiovascular disease.
Encourages better sleep habits.
Helps problem-solving abilities.
Improves pain levels.
Lengthens life expectancy.
Lowers blood pressure
Protects against strokes.
Reduces stress levels.

How to Feel More Positive and Happy

It’s one thing to read about the benefits of happiness, it’s another to figure out how to actually implement this into your life. If you need some help and tips on how to feel more positive and happy, try these suggestions.

Eat healthier. The more fruits and veggies in your diet, the happier you will feel. Avoid processed foods, items with high percentages of fat and salt, and red meats. Check out this connection between a healthier diet and your mental health.
Get outside. The sunshine and great outdoors are perfect for boosting your mood and making you feel more positive. In fact, low vitamin D levels are often connected with those who suffer from mental illnesses. That’s why it’s vital to get outside and soak up the natural vitamin D all around you.
Practice positive mindsets. Of course, becoming happier is easier if you focus on encouraging yourself to feel that way. A great way to do so is by writing down things you’re grateful for. Do this at the end of every day, and you’ll be feeling more positive in no time.
Regular self-care exercises. Doing your favorite stress-relieving practices like yoga or meditation regularly enough helps to control mood swings, teaches you how to remain positive in intense situations, and increases your positivity. Some additional ideas are cooking healthy recipes, drawing, cleaning, and reading.
Remain active. Staying active isn’t only good for your physical health, it’s also good for your mental health. It’s a mood booster and an easy way to alleviate stress.
Sleep. You’ve heard it time and time again, but it’s proven in study after study that a full eight hours of sleep significantly increases your mood and happiness level. So, get to bed earlier than usual and minimize your screen time beforehand. Instead, read a book before you go to bed. Just six minutes of reading can reduce stress by 68%. But, if you don’t enjoy this pastime, you could also remediate, write, or listen to music that relaxes you.