“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”- Abraham Lincoln
Happiness is the universal feeling we all aspire to experience more of, yet many people never get to enjoy even 50 percent of happiness in their life time.
So sad!
The science of happiness tells us that being happy is, indeed, a choice. But if you’re still struggling to make lemonade when life hands you lemons, maybe you just need a little swift-kick-in-the-pants motivation.
You see, happiness is one emotion that comes with benefits. Lots and lots of it. The benefits are so immense that even medical doctors recommend it to their patients, religious leaders recommend it to the followers and people gravitate to happy people.
Are you feeling sad most of the time and depend on external factors to make you happy? Keep scrolling.
Here are Ibiene’s top benefits of happiness.
- Happiness can protect you from falling ill:
Studies have found a link between happiness and longevity.
Happiness may not cure illness but, happier people naturally participate in healthier activities. The physical effects from chronic unhappiness on the body, such as activation of the fight-and-flight response, higher blood pressure, and a lower immune system, as well understood, can result in sickness and ultimately a shorter life.
- Being happy brings good things into your life via the law of attraction:
The law of attraction is the ability to attract what we focus on into our lives and states that all thoughts turn into things eventually. Therefore, if you focus on happiness and the good things you want in your life the law of attraction will bring you more happiness and good things. Alternatively, if you focus on negative things and unhappiness that is what you will attract into your life.
- Being happy enables you to be more productive:
Do your shoulders fall when you look at your never-ending to-do list? Well, being happier can help you get through it faster without a clouded mind.
One study from the University of Warwick found that happier employees were 10-12 percent more productive than their counterparts. Another research from Wharton & Warwick Business Schools indicates that companies with happier employees, in countries such as the UK and USA, did better in the stock market year after year. If secular institutions can recommend happiness, you should consider it seriously.
- Happiness releases your creative juices:
Ask any one in the creative industry how they get the job done faster despite challenges or a bloc. They will say for sure that the state of your mind matters.
Sadness clogs your thinking and does not afford you the opportunity to thrive as much as you would want to.
What is your favourite creative task? Photography, drawing, painting, writing, sewing? Take 20 minutes out of your day to work on your favourite creative task. Feel the energy from this fuel for the rest of your day.
- Your happiness attracts people. It is contagious.
By becoming happier you also pass on all these wonderful benefits to your family, friends, and neighbours.
One awesome study to buttress this point is a study starting with 5209 people in 1948 from The University of California and Harvard University followed three generations in Framingham Massachusetts. They found that happiness ripples throughout a social network. One person’s happiness influenced people, up to three degrees of separation from them. This is awesome!
Take this home.
Happiness cost you nothing. It only takes you making a choice to be happy despite the circumstances. Draw your happiness from within and watch your life change.
What are your personal tips for happiness? Do share with us in the comment section.