Is Just Being Happy Good for Heart Health?

 

If you’re over 30, you want to do what you can to keep a healthy heart. Our tickers take a beating with all the stress and depression we’re besieged with on a daily basis, some of us worse off than others.

I recently wrote an article on this subject, and I was fascinated with what I found out in my research. Two studies I read about, one from The Harvard School of Public Health and the other from The Institute of Mental Health of Deft, the Netherlands came to the same conclusion—people who were optimistic and happy had 50% less risk of cardiovascular death, than those stressed and unhappy.

That’s a big percentage!

Of course, with our modern lifestyles, the poor economy, unemployment concerns, skyrocketing prices and volatile markets, relieving stress and depression can be a challenge. A few things were mentioned as good ways to relieve those precursors to bad heart health. Starting with sunshine! WE need to get out on a regular basis by walking, hiking, swimming, biking or running—whatever we enjoy. And enjoy that sunshine with a friend or family member who you can laugh with. Laughter is really good for us! Not to mention the exercise.

It also was suggested to take up a hobby we enjoy. And that can be anything, really, that makes you happy—gardening, writing, scrapbooking, building furniture, and lots more. Some people might like needlepoint, painting pictures or target shooting—just anything we like to do. And again, enjoying that activity with a friend will enhance the benefit. But do it, at any rate.

Other things that help are games, including computer games, Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

So it sounds like the song writer who came up with Don’t Worry, Be Happy was onto something!

The jury is still out on this research. A lot more study has to be done before it’s considered a definite link, but it looks very promising. Anything we can do to improve our health and avoid cardiac issues is worth doing. Prevention is paramount!

So do a crossword puzzle, take a walk in the sunshine and find an interesting hobby. It may help you live longer!