We receive the Consumer Reports 'On Health' newsletter in the mail. A recent issue (June 2009) offered 'eight research-backed tips on how to make yourself happier - and maybe healthier too.' The research comes from major institute and university studies, abstracted by Consumer Reports.
1. Count the positive (counting your blessings results in a greater sense of well-being).
2. Be thankful (writing a letter of gratitude results in a better mood for 30 days!).
3. Make friends (loneliness is associated with high blood pressure, smoking and stress).
4. Volunteer (donate four hours each week for more optimism, self-esteem and sociability).
5. Focus on the present (regular courses in mindfulness and now-focused meditation resulted in reduced anxiety).
6. Follow your passion (find the things you love, do them, and enjoy a richer life).
7. Move (exercise eases depression).
8. Laugh (may reduce stress and improve blood flow).
I do most of those eight things. I'm a little light on volunteering, lately (since we moved last fall). And I'm not sure what my passion is, at the moment (but I'll work on that!). So the list makes me feel pretty happy about myself, working on my health by being in a good mood.
More than that, however, it seems to me that these eight traits also lead to more and stronger friendships. I would love to be friends with someone who is positive, thankful, friendly, voluntary, now-focused, passionate, moving and laughing. In fact, when I look at it that way, having more friends with those eight traits will make those eight traits stronger in me. Resulting in even more friends, and truly astonishing health.
Now, I need to write a couple of thank you notes, go for a walk (while thinking about my passions), and figure out where to volunteer my time.
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