Secrets to Happiness
The secret to happiness has been found, and it may not be what you think. A longitudal study conducted by Harvard University has been going for 75 years, and is now in a second phase that may last just as long.
The study followed 724 men, half from the inner-city, and half from Harvard students. They then looked at that data to find variables linked to mental disorders, general happines, happy marriages, and more.
What they found was that our happiness, and how well we do in life, is linked to our relationships. That doesn't just mean marriage, but also our friends, family, and even coworkers. Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. This fact is the same whether you are rich or poor, young or old, male or female.
Happiness in relationships is even better at predicting health than cholesterol levels, the study found. If you want to be happy, live a long time, and look forward to a great life, your focus should be on connecting with those around you.
Connecting with others doesn't mean you have to suddenly stop being introverted and rush to the nearest party—it's not about the number of relationships at all. Instead, consider fostering the relationships you do have.
Be present in your relationships
We tend to put off our relationships because they don't come with deadlines attached. There's no alarm reminding us to call our friends or go on a date with our special someone. There's no deadline for taking your kids to the park for a picnic (or at least, we discover the deadline has passed when they move out.) Because of this, we tend to put our relationships behind the more obvious deadlines provided by work and business.
If you want to be happy and healthy, don't put these things on hold. Call your friend today. Tell your spouse you appreciate them. It makes a difference.
Save Lives – Practice Positivity Every Day
What if you knew that a small act of kindness today could change someone's entire life forever? What if you could ensure that your best friend lived a long life, or that your spouse could enjoy good health into old age?
While life is still unpredictable, you can give it a little nudge in that direction by practicing positivity. Did a store clerk perform an extra service for you? Tell them how much you appreciate them. Did your best friend move out of state? Send them a care package to remind them you're still friends.
Respect your relationships
Have you ever taken a bad mood out on your friend or family? You snap at your spouse for forgetting a gallon of milk on the way home, but would you have reacted quite that way if it had been someone less familiar to you? We tend to treat our friends and family without the same courtesty as we do strangers, when if anything it should be the other way around. Give your family and friends the respect they deserve, and yes, expect that same respect back.
It's little things like these that bring us all closer together, and yes, makes us healthier too. While we can't stop tragedy from happening, or prevent all of lifes hard knocks, how we interact with others makes a powerful difference in their lives. By being present and paying attention to the people around us, we can make the world a better place.