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Happiness is an emotion ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is fleeting and only lasts a minute or so. When it lasts for more than five minutes, we call it ecstasy, longer and its psychosis. Most of us appreciate that warm “feel good” sensation when we are content, so let that be our goal.
What makes us happy? The Center for Disease Control says that we are happier in our sixties than in our twenties, so it’s not youth. We are happier when married than single and living in the sun doesn’t help. Its not money, education or IQ either.
Faith seems to make us happy, but it is probably the sense of community that comes with organized religion rather than the belief in God. Strong ties to family and friends are important, so is being socially connected.
One Nobel Prize winner found the five top mood lifting activities for women to be: sex, socializing, relaxing, praying or meditating, and eating. Exercising and watching television followed closely. Near the bottom of the list were cooking, “(day-to-day) taking care of my children” and housework.
We constantly pursue pleasure, but enduring happiness is more related to engagement in the process and in meaning.
You’ve probably heard that happiness comes from within? The fact is that at least half comes from how we are programmed genetically, circumstantial factors such as income, marital status, religion and education make up less than 10% of happiness. The remaining 40% comes from our life experiences.
Biologically speaking, our happy hormone Serotonin is a mood enhancer. For some of us, the way we process Serotonin doesn’t function optimally. This may result in depression. Going from depression to neutral is a huge step for some, so “happiness” is a relative term.
While we may be genetically programmed to see life as the glass half full or half empty, we can change our programming. If you have never read “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton, then do so. His new book should be completed later this spring. The scientific facts are that we CAN change the way our programming is expressed. So, if you were “born” unhappy, the maybe its time you do something about it!
The best thing you can do for yourself is to become more engaged in life. Be proactive; don’t expect happiness to fall into your lap wrapped in a pretty bow. Make your life more meaningful. Here are some inexpensive suggestions for happiness, tips for these hard financial times:
1. You can start by looking after your health. Healthier folks are happier. Eat right, exercise more. You’ll not only feel better, but you’ll look better too.
2. Start a new project or take a new class. New is fun, it gives you something to look forward to. Anticipation is a great mood lifter (remember trying to figure out what was in all the wrapped boxes when you where a kid?)
3. Perform random acts of kindness. Set a goal: one good deed, five? Do this every day; you’ll be surprised at how good it makes you feel.
4. Use your strengths. If you have a great sense of humor, make certain that you share it with others. If you’re a great story teller, volunteer to read at your local elementary school or library. If you like to give, think about being a Big Brother or Big Sister for an underprivileged or parentless child.
5. Volunteer. When you do so, you are less focused on yourself and more focused on others.
6. Socialize more. That doesn’t mean to start clubbing (though it could), but call up some friends you haven’t seen in a while and meet. Perhaps you’d find it fun to start something new like a club – reading? Bowling? Walking around the neighborhood? Join a new gym with some friends and start exercising together. Addicted to American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, rather than watch it home alone, make an event out of it and invite your friends over.
Now here’s the best part: When you are busy at staying happy, you will find that you are more focused in all the other aspects of life. You will feel more fulfilled, you will sleep better at night and you will accomplish more – all the while, with a smile on your face.
About Dr. Lobe
Thom E Lobe, MD, FACS, FAAP, is founder and medical director of Beneveda Medical Group in Beverly Hills, CA. He earned his MD degree, graduating cum laude and with special honors in pediatrics. During medical school, Dr. Lobe took time out to train with the former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, MD and with leading physicians at Harvard and Johns Hopkins Medical Schools. Dr. Lobe followed his dream of putting together the most advanced medical practice in existence focusing on the new medical specialty called energy medicine. The first practice in the US to specialize in Energy Revitalization, Beneveda is second to none in the management of problems many consider resistant to conventional approaches such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight loss, osteoporosis and others.
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