Tag Archives: happy

Don’t worry about getting old.

11 Wednesday Sep 2019

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You’ll be happier! That’s from a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry of over 15-hundred people, ages 12 to 99. It found the older the person, the happier they were. And that’s despite having more aches, pains, and illness. Meanwhile, 20 and 30-year-olds had the highest levels of anxiety and stress, and the lowest levels of happiness and wellbeing. So forget about stereotypical “grumpy old men” and women. This study found that happiness peaks in old age. The reason? Because the older you get, the more you know you can handle whatever life throws your way.

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Do you begin the day with a smile?

27 Tuesday Aug 2019

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People who are cheerful and bubbly from the moment they roll out of bed every morning AREN’T faking it. Research at the University of Toronto found that early birds are actually happier than night owls. Interestingly enough, people over age 40 are much more likely to be morning people than teens or twentysomethings. This may be why older people tend to feel happier and more satisfied with their lives. It could boil down to “social jet lag”. That’s when you stay up late to socialize, then have trouble waking up early – and staying in sync with the typical 9‑to‑5 cycle of work and school.

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Boost your happiness!

09 Friday Aug 2019

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Join a group – or join several! Because with every social group you sign up for, your happiness increases by 9%. That’s according to the Journal Of Happiness Studies. Researchers tracked nearly 4,000 people… and those who joined groups that were centered around their beliefs or favorite activities felt more deeply connected to others – had a more profound sense of purpose – and were less likely to suffer from depression. That’s because feeling connected and purposeful are proven ways to increase life satisfaction and wellbeing. So whether it’s a scrapbooking group, book club, Bible study, bowling league or walking group – just by joining, you’ll increase your happiness.

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Eat blueberries every day to be happy!

15 Wednesday May 2019

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If you’re looking for a happiness boost: Eat blueberries. According to the journal Pharmacological Research, eating a half-cup of blueberries every day could raise your serotonin levels by 20%. Serotonin is a brain chemical linked to a better mood. It also helps keep your brain cells and arteries running smoothly – decreasing the risk of stroke, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. And we get the serotonin boost from the anthocyanin in blueberries; the antioxidant that gives them their deep color.

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Want to be happier and healthier?

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

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Get out in the world and TALK to people! Researchers at the University of Arizona found the happiest people spent 25% less time alone, and a whopping 70% more time engaged in face-to-face conversations. That’s because heartfelt conversations help us connect with our emotions, which creates closer bonds with others and triggers a boost in our health and happiness.

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Get healthier, higher self-esteem and be happy!

22 Tuesday Jan 2019

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So you want to lose weight, drink less, exercise more, and de-clutter your house. What should you tackle first? ALL of it! That’s according to a study at UC Santa Barbara.

When researchers had study participants commit to eating better, exercising more, cutting back on alcohol, getting more sleep, and practicing mindfulness all simultaneously – it worked! After 6 weeks, the study subjects showed improvement on all fronts. They were stronger, healthier, had higher self-esteem and were happier.

Brain science professor Michael Mrazek led the research and he says each lifestyle change supported the others. Exercising makes it easier to sleep… sleeping well makes it easier to eat well… and being mindful makes it easier to make good choices. So, if you have a lot of changes you’d like to make, go for it! Do them all at once.

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Improve your mood by walking!

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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The easiest way to improve your mood is to change the way you walk. When researchers studied the mindset of people walking, those who were hunched over and shuffling were in a funk. And the walkers who took purposeful strides, head up, shoulders back had a brighter attitude.

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What can a museum do for you?

25 Thursday Oct 2018

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Sure, it can expose you to fine art – but it can also slash your stress by 60%! That’s according to IULM University in Milan, Italy. The researchers measured people’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol, before and after they visited a museum. And they found just spending a few minutes admiring paintings or sculpture dramatically reduced stress. Their cortisol dropped 60%! Plus, the study participants said they felt happier and calmer. It works because, when we’re looking at art, we’re in the moment. And Stanford psychologists say that looking at something awe-inspiring makes us more patient and unselfish, and it makes time seem to slow down. Art also fills us with positive emotions, which lower levels of inflammatory proteins, reducing stress and lowering our heart rate.

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To be happier, find a ‘hands-on’ hobby.

16 Tuesday Oct 2018

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Neuroscientist Dr. Kelly Lambert says that baking, gardening, woodworking and other manual activities release the natural antidepressants serotonin and dopamine. This ‘effort-driven’ reward circuit is a holdover from the days when our ancestors had to use their hands to fill their stomachs. And even though it’s a lot easier to buy bread, you can’t buy that awesome feeling of pulling your own homemade loaves out of the oven.

And that’s why a ‘hands-on’ hobby will make you feel awesome.

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Kids should spend 3 hours A DAY exercising.

02 Tuesday Jan 2018

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That’s the recommendation from the Finnish government, which advised parents to actively encourage kids to pursue hobbies and interests that require physical exertion. Especially kids age 8 and UNDER! That may sound a bit extreme over here – where most of the population never breaks a sweat. But according to the BBC, Finland produces some of the most physically fit children in Europe, and some of the highest academic results among schoolchildren in the world. So maybe there’s a link between all that exercise and smart kids. Finland’s Minister for Education and Culture thinks it’s no coincidence. She says physical activity contributes to a child’s happiness and promotes learning. Again – the recommendation from the Finnish government is: Kids should spend 3 hours exercising – every DAY.

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