There are now hundreds, if not thousands, of studies in the literature on happiness. One of the interesting findings is that happy people are also healthier. Not only does being happy lead to better health, but it leads to better relationships, better decision making, living longer, higher incomes, having more friends, greater productivity, longer marriages, higher quality work, stronger immune systems, lower stress levels, and less pain. Also, positive emotions broaden your outlook or awareness, and you are able to take in more information. Negative emotions narrow your view.
With all these benefits, you are probably wondering if there is anything you can do to be happier. The answer is yes. There are a variety of things that people can do to increase their level of happiness.
Here are some suggestions from the various studies.
Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise daily. Exercising boosts your mood and increases your energy level. It releases endorphins which make you feel better. It also enhances your sleep, which is very important. It is recommended that you get at least seven and one-half hours of sleep per night. People who get less than six hours of sleep are 30% less happy than if they would have gotten enough sleep.
Another finding is the importance of looking on the bright side, especially when coping with difficulties. Being optimistic about the future will greatly improve your level of happiness. The studies have shown that a negative emotion can be quite detrimental; it is important not to dwell on negative thoughts. Furthermore, being appreciative and expressing gratitude is also quite helpful.
Another very important finding is the importance of setting goals and monitoring your progress. For example, one possible goal is to identify areas of interests and then pursue them. You might want to join a club or do volunteer work that has special meaning for you. In addition, visualizing your best possible self and imagining your best future will definitely increase your level of happiness. Recognize the things that make you happy and repeat them.
Having strong interpersonal relationships was high the happiness scale. It is important to love someone. People who tend to be loners are usually less happy than those who have a partner they enjoy being with and can share positive personal experiences with. By the same token, having an inner circle of three or more friends whom you can call for help and who are positive in their outlook is a big factor in being happy.
People who care about others tend to be happier. Having empathy is very important. In addition, it is helpful to cultivate generosity. Be generous with both your time and your resources. Be interesting and interested in others, and practice kindness.
One interesting finding was that it is much better to spend your money on experiences rather than on material possessions. The joy of the material possessions will soon fade. Having enjoyable experiences will add up and contribute to your happiness.
Another helpful suggestion included taking up meditation. Just three months of regular meditation will have very beneficial effects and lead to an upward spiral. Getting involved with a religion or spirituality is recommended if that is something you would be comfortable with.
One very important point was to commit to cultivating well-being over the long term. You must commit to a disciplined program of interventions every day. For most of us, this is not that easy. However, there are ways to create these important habits and make them last. One excellent method is with the use of hypnosis. Hypnosis can help you eliminate unwanted habits and create more desirable ones. It can enable you to remove the resistance and any subconscious blocks that may be stopping your good intentions. Hypnosis is safe and does not require a lot of time.
If you are interested in increasing your health and happiness, hypnosis may be just what you are looking for. To find out more, call Phil Rosenbaum at 248-688-6469. A great many studies have shown that hypnosis is effective, so why not take advantage of it?
