The science of happiness: happier people are healthier
02 Feb 2011 | Kaiser Permanente
Look back at the past month and consider: Have you been happy?
Overall, how satisfied are you with your life? Take note of your
answers, because they could predict your future health.
A study of nearly 10,000 people found that, 2 years later, those
with higher rates of happiness and life satisfaction reported 50
percent better health and less long-term, limiting health
conditions. Another long-term study of nuns discovered that those
who wrote autobiographies reflecting happiness, love, and hope at a
young age had a 2.5 times lower risk of dying early than their
gloomier young counterparts.
"Happier people tend to be healthier," says David Sobel, MD,
medical director of Health Education for Kaiser Permanente in
Northern California. "Research now shows that people who express
positive emotions like joy, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm are 22
percent less likely to develop heart disease over the next 10
years."
Dr. Sobel adds, "This doesn't mean they will never have heart
attacks, but science proves that smiling and cheerfulness are
linked to heart protection."
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