Studies show that people with a positive outlook tend to be healthier and live longer, while negative emotions are proven to harm the body. Serious, sustained stress or fear can alter biological systems in a way that, over time, adds up to “wear and tear” and, eventually, illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Chronic anger and anxiety can disrupt cardiac function by changing the heart’s electrical stability, hastening atherosclerosis, and increasing systemic inflammation.
Choose to be happy, make a decision to have a positive attitude and be in a good mood.
Try listening to music to change your mood. Even "sad" songs can make you feel comforted simply by their familiarity. Music can directly trigger memory and emotion together. Listening to music causes the brain to release dopamine, a "feel good" chemical which hits the reward system in our brains much like drugs do. This explains why music can be addictive!
Singing can also lift your mood and bring on a happier state of mind. Some suggest this could relate to deeper breathing which gets more oxygen into the blood and increases circulation, thereby increasing your good mood. But, in addition to the physical effects, singing just feels good!
Nobody has to hear; try singing in the shower or the car...don't worry about being silly, just sing.
Don't be afraid to laugh. Once again, don't worry about being silly. Being able to laugh at most any situation is definitely a habit of happy people. The physical effects of a good belly laugh are measurable; from tightening abdominal and facial muscles, to releasing more of those "feel good" chemicals. So, don't be so serious. Find humor in everything. Laugh at yourself. Smile more. The power of a smile is an amazing thing. Try smiling at everyone you meet and watch how many smile back.
Eating well is essential to being happy and in a good mood. When you are hungry, it's hard to have a positive outlook. On the other hand, when you are uncomfortably full, your mood will suffer as well. Eating junk food and too much sugar will cause lifts and crashes in mood. Try to eat three balanced meals a day, with one or 2 healthy snacks. Eat lots of protein, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid refined sugar and processed carbohydrates. Drink a lot of water. Your body will thank you. When your body is happy, it's easier for you to be happy!
Walking, or any kind of physical activity, will make you feel better and improve your mood.
Exercise is important to overall health, both physical and mental. It's a lot easier to feel happy when your body is healthy. In addition to stronger muscles, a healthier heart, deeper breathing and still more of those "feel good chemicals," daily exercise can also help to reduce aches and pains and fatigue, allowing you to be a happier, more positive person.
Choose to be happy. Choose to be positive. Choose happy over sad. Choose love over hate.
Turn off anger, turn on love.
