WHAT IF YOU COULD SPREAD HAPPINESS?
Turns out that happy people create more happy people, according to the Framingham Heart Study. This was a study that was started in 1948, initially to follow a group of people to look at heart disease. Over time they followed the second and third generations of the initial study group and have expanded to look at other factors and influences of health. Their results show that happiness is contagious to 3 degrees. So if you are happy, then your friend, their friend and their friend’s friend are more likely to be happy. In other words, your happiness has a ripple effect through your social network! Although we don’t really know how this works, there are many theories such as happy people treat others better or even a psychoneuroimmunological (say that 10 times fast!) change. A psychoneuroimmunological change just means the chemicals and hormones in your body might change. There are some limits, such as the distance we are from one another. However, someone who is happy will increase the chance of their friend becoming happy by 25%!
SHOW SOME KINDNESS AND SPREAD THE HAPPY
Hmmm. Well, we have heard it before: “obesity is contagious”, “smoking is contagious.” Parents have also heard that kids will do “as they see” and not “as they are told.” To me, that just shows the influence we have over people who are near to us. By working on our own health and wellbeing, we can have a ripple effect within our society. It’s also important to remember that this doesn’t mean we only focus on ourselves. Studies have also shown that acts of kindness boost our well-being while helping the recipient as well.
So, what will you do to SPREAD SOME HAPPINESS today?
HAPPINESS BOOSTING PRACTICES:
Try a little gratitude to boost your wellbeing! it!
Feel better with square breathing in just minutes!
Try this loving-kindness meditation to boost your happiness today
OTHER LINKS
Disclaimer: The content in this blog is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog or on this website.