The pursuit of happiness is a universal endeavor. People yearn to understand the science behind happiness, seeking evidence-based insights to unlock their inner capacity for joy. While I’ve always advocated for finding true happiness in my books, I’m not the only one calling for it.
Why is it that our bodies chemically react to being happy? How is it that these physiological changes affect our mental and physical health?
I don’t have the answer to the first question, but I can answer the second.
Here are some ways you can lead a happy and healthy life, according to science, of course!
Engage in Spontaneous Acts of Kindness
It turns out that your kindergarten teacher’s advice holds true even in adulthood. Surprisingly, extending a helping hand to those in need doesn’t just benefit the recipient; it can significantly enhance your own physical and mental well-being.
A 2019 study by researchers at the University of Oxford revealed that individuals who incorporated daily acts of kindness into their routines, such as assisting a neighbor or expressing gratitude through a thank-you card, experienced a notable increase in happiness. It also noted that the frequency of kind gestures correlated positively with heightened feelings of happiness.
Beyond triggering the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that contribute to a sense of pleasure, engaging in random acts of kindness has been found to decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
So, being kind not only lifts spirits but also creates a tangible, positive impact on both mental and physical health.
Happiness and Heart Health
The science of happiness finds a significant connection between joy and heart health, as proven by this study on individuals with existing or suspected coronary heart disease.
Participants were tasked with assessing their own happiness levels, after which their hearts underwent examination for potential symptoms.
Strikingly, those who reported the highest happiness levels on a given day also exhibited the healthiest heart patterns. This implies that the positive effects of happiness extend to heart health, even in the presence of illness or disease.
Good Company Equals True Happiness
Remember the section on toxicity in my 7 Steps to Contentment? Yeah, it turns out surrounding yourself with positive people isn’t just so that you have someone to feed you words of affirmation when you need them most.
Contemporary research indicates that our emotions are pivotal in influencing those in our social circles, particularly when it comes to happiness. A longitudinal study spanning two decades, conducted in collaboration with the Framingham Heart Study, revealed that individuals with joyful companions tend to exude a more positive demeanor, contributing to an enhanced overall sense of well-being.
Essentially, one person’s upbeat disposition possesses the potential to initiate a chain reaction, positively impacting not only their immediate friends but extending to friends of friends and even further in the social network.
Find Your Next Best Book on Happiness and Positive Thinking
The science of happiness proves that joy is not a fleeting emotion but a complex interplay of neurological, psychological, genetic, and social factors. Read the secrets to finding true happiness in my Guide to Happiness Book, not to mention my blog, where you can find them in short form.
Get in touch to share your take on happiness.