Happy people ARE healthier, study finds

tunisante July 23, 2017

Researchers believe happier people may be more inclined to live a healthy life
Alternatively, being content may directly benefit the heart and immune system
The extent that feelings of happiness can actively improve our health is unclear
Researchers add unhappiness may be a serious threat to our long-term health
Previous studies show happiness can help fight disease and aid injuries to heal

Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published:
09:34 EDT, 18 July 2017

|
Updated:
15:21 EDT, 18 July 2017

e-mail

View
comments

Happy people are healthier, new research reveals.

Of the numerous studies investigating an association between having a sunny disposition and improved health, 65 percent found a link, a study review found.

Researchers believe happier people may be more inclined to live a healthy lifestyle, for instance exercising regularly or not smoking.

Alternatively, being content may directly benefit the health of the heart and immune system, they add.

Yet, the extent of being cheerful’s benefits on our health is unclear, the research adds.

Happy people are healthier: Some 65 percent of relevant studies found a link between the two

Bangladeshi boy, 13, with a FOOTBALL-sized hernia that…

‘A disaster from start to finish’: Mother’s fury after her…

Teen and pregnant smokers face Government crackdown under…

Dashing for the bus could protect against osteoporosis: Just…

GIVING TO OTHERS REALLY DOES MAKE YOU HAPPY

Being generous really does make people happier, research revealed earlier this month.

Areas of the brain that are triggered during altruistic acts are linked to feelings of contentment, a study found.

Merely promising to be more generous is enough to create changes in our brains that makes us happier, the research adds.

The amount of generosity does not influence the increase in levels of contentment, meaning even small acts of giving produce a sense of wellbeing, the study found.

Psychologist Dr Soyoung Park of the University of Lubeck in Germany, one of the lead researchers, said: ‘Generosity and happiness improve individual wellbeing and can facilitate societal success.’

The discovery sheds fresh light on why people feel gratification from giving, even when it comes at a cost to themselves.

Key findings

Researchers from the universities of Utah and Virginia analyzed numerous studies that investigated a link between happiness and health.

Results revealed that in 65 percent of the studies, a sunny disposition is related to improved health and wellbeing.

It may be that happier people are more inclined to live a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating well and not smoking, according to the researchers.

Alternatively, a positive mood may have a direct effect on people’s immune system and heart health, they add.

The extent to which a happy disposition supports good health is unclear.

The findings were published in the journal Health and Well-Being.

What the researchers say

Study author Professor Ed Diener said: ‘We now have to take very seriously the finding that happy people are healthier and live longer, and that chronic unhappiness can be a true health threat.

‘People’s feelings of wellbeing join other known factors for health, such as not smoking and getting exercise.

‘Scores of studies show that our levels of happiness versus stress and depression can influence our cardiovascular health, our immune system strength to fight off diseases and our ability to heal from injuries.’