The International Day of Happiness is celebrated annually on March 20th, with the aim of promoting happiness and well-being as fundamental goals of human life. Implemented by the United Nations it recognises that happiness is a human right.
Happiness is an essential component of human life, and it is a critical indicator of a person's overall well-being. It is a state of mind characterised by positive emotions such as joy, contentment, and satisfaction. Happiness is crucial for both mental and physical health, and it has been linked to a range of positive outcomes, including better relationships, increased productivity, and improved overall life satisfaction.
Health:
A study by Steptoe & Wardle asked participants to rate their happiness at 30 different points in one day. Participants were asked to repeat the exercise three years later. Their findings showed that individuals who rated themselves as the happiest at both the first and later exercise were also those with a lower heart rate and blood pressure. People with lower heart rates and blood pressure are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. This suggests that feelings of happiness contribute positively to these physical measurements.
Heart:
Another study by Bhattacharyya, Whitehead, Rakhit & Steptoe also found a link between happiness and heart health. The researchers studied individuals who already had, or were suspected of having coronary heart disease. They asked participants to rate their happiness, and their hearts were then tested for symptoms. Those who rated the highest for happiness on the day also had the healthiest heart patterns. This suggests that happiness can still have health benefits, even when illness or disease is already present.
Immunity:
A study by Stone et al explored the effect of happiness on the immune system. . Participants were asked to rate their mood across different days and then their saliva was tested for antibodies . Those who rated themselves the happiest had a higher level of antibodies. The results suggest that feeling happier can help support the immune system to defend against foreign bodies.
Longevity:
A study by Lawrence, Rogers & Wadsworth explored the impact of happiness on 32,000 participants and their survival rate over a 30-year period. Participants who were rated the least happy had a 14% higher chance of death than their happiest counterparts.
Pain management:
Another study found that laughing improves wellbeing and mood, but it also increases endorphins and your pain threshold. So those who laugh more and are happier are better at managing pain.
In today's fast-paced world, where people are constantly under pressure to succeed and achieve more, happiness often takes a back seat. People tend to focus on material possessions, career success, and financial wealth, neglecting the importance of emotional well-being. The International Day of Happiness reminds us of the importance of happiness and encourages us to prioritise our emotional well-being.
There are lots of issues in our world right now. We can’t always change what is happening, but we can choose how we respond.
These three simple steps can be used anytime to help make life happier and kinder.
BE MINDFUL
Relax your breathing and notice:
How am I feeling right now?
BE GRATEFUL
Look around you and ask yourself:
What am I thankful for?
BE KIND
With warm feelings, ask yourself:
Who do I want to send love to?
At Britt’s Superfoods we aim to have fun in all we do and to be authentic and kind. We think this make us feel better and helps us to do a better job. We also start the day with a superfood juice to give us the nutrients our body needs. If you would like to add a superfood juice to your daily diet, visit our shop here today.
