Defining happiness is harder than you might think. What does being happy mean other than being happy? The fact is, happiness is not only important in our lives, it is essential. Heck, it’s the most sought after commodity in the world. The funniest thing is, you can’t hold it in your hand and it’s free to obtain if you try.
Happiness is where it is at. Yet, sometimes maintaining happiness isn’t that simple. You may have started out your day happy but then that guy cut you off on your way to work this morning and left you feeling salty. Maybe you woke up in the middle of the night feeling warm due to menopause or pregnancy and didn’t get the sleep you need. Now you are feeling less than enthusiastic about starting your day.
There are so many obstacles in our journey toward happiness sometimes it can seem like reaching for it is a never ending process, which is actually true. We never stop wanting to find happiness and when we have it we hold onto it for as long as we can.
Why?
We know how it feels to be happy but why do we truly adore this emotion over all others? The obvious contender for the top emotional spot would be love, but that leads to happiness so it all comes right back to the beginning.
Sometimes finding happiness means getting that job promotion. Other times it means not letting yourself get angry when someone cuts you off. Or, it could be as simple as finding a way to cool off when you are sleeping. But what does happiness do for us?
I’ve listed a few of the reasons below. After you read about the amazing benefits of happiness, you’ll probably be head out on a relentless pursuit. You may smile at that horrible driver or ease your heated nights with a cooling pillow, which you can read about here.
It’s Good For Your Heart
When you are happy, your heart rate and blood pressure are lowered. A study that consisted of 76 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease was conducted to find out whether or not happiness is connected to heart health. All of the group members who said they were happy showed a healthier heart rate.
It Gives You a Positive Attitude
Happiness creates an atmosphere for endorphins to run through your system, and these make us feel good. When we feel good was think good thoughts. It’s kind of a cause and effect situation. Happiness is also a cause for celebration in itself! In fact, people celebration the International Day Of Happiness every year!
More importantly, when we think good thoughts great things start happening for us. You’ll find that job more easily, you’ll sell more of whatever it is that your are trying to sell, and you’ll be a joy to be around. Nobody wants to hang out with a negative person. Positivity also leads to better problem solving skills.
You Create More Friendships and Stronger Ones
Who would you rather be friends with? The person you meet who growls and complains about their life or the one who smiles and makes an attempt at cheerful conversation? Unless you are a person who has a penchant for uphill battles, you would probably choose the latter.
Don’t get me wrong, unhappy people are not lost causes by any means. As fellow human beings, we need to lift each other up, which is a reason why I write this blog. Yet, in the two scenarios, you would find the second person much easier to enjoy your time with, which is natural and okay.
You could be either person I described. It all depends on how you feel when others meet you. It stands to reason that you are more likable friendly when you are happy. Also, when you are happy you are free of worry so you have time to listen to your friends when they need you, which strengthens relationships.
Your Work Life Will Improve
No matter who you are there is some type of work in your life and you have to interact with people while you are doing it. A lawyer has to talk to clients, judges, juries. A server greets dozens of new people every shift. Work requires relationships. Even a solitary worker like a writer has to maintain relationships with clients, editors, and publishers.
That said, experts report that folks who are happy when they are working will more often than not get the promotion and earn more money. Take the server scenario for example. If you are a tipper, or live in a society where servers earn their living wage with gratuities, would you tip a grumpy waiter or a smiling one? I think the answer to that question is pretty obvious.
When you are happy you are also more productive. Your mind is free from the negative thoughts that are bringing you down and free to focus on the tasks at hand. This will help you be more constructive with your time and talents.
Conclusion
Happiness may seem like something we should chase after but, when you think about it, happiness is a choice. Bad things happen to us all, some struggles are harder than others. Whatever your struggle is, the fact is it is yours to carry.
You have a choice to find the happiness in your life or to focus on the negativity. As you can see from this blog post, happiness will benefit you so much more in the long run. So choose to focus on the things that make you happy so the effects can start finding their way to you.
