Be Happier for Your Health

People who are optimistic, live longer. Studies have shown that optimistic people are less likely to have a heart attack, are less likely to get illnesses like the common cold or flu, and have a higher quality of life in their later years. An eight year study done by Hilary Tindle at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is just one of the studies that have been done on this topic. It found that optimistic women were 30% less likely to die of heart disease and 14% less likely to die from any other health issues.

So here are some tips to help you boost your mood and teach yourself to be more optimistic.

Listen to music that makes you happy. A study done in both men and women showed that those who listened to music that made them feel happier for at least a half an hour had an increase in blood vessel diameter by 26%. That's the same benefit gained from aerobic exercise. It's great for your heart because it doesn't have to work so hard to push the blood through and it is great for your mood.

Hold hands with your spouse or significant other. Go ahead and kiss and hug too. These physical contacts reduce cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a key hormone in stress.

Count your blessings. Being grateful for what you have makes you more likely to be happy with your life. A study reported that prayer focused on gratitude helped people feel dramatically more optimistic.

Talk about it. If you are feeling stressed or experiencing an emotionally hard situation talking about it can reduce these feelings and make you feel more optimistic. Even if you only tell your pet, the benefits are still there.

Get at least moderate exercise 3-4 times per week. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Exercise increases hormones and chemicals in the body that make you happier.

Go ahead and cry. Crying is our body's way of indicating to others that we need comfort and assistance. Did you know we are the only species that cries for emotional reasons? This actually gives us an advantage, crying helps the body remove chemicals that build up because of stress. William Frey, a biochemist and neuroscientist in St. Paul Minnesota, did a study that found that 85% of women and 73% of men feel better after crying. He also found that those who, after crying, focused on why they were crying and a possible solution were more likely to feel refreshed, restored and happier.

There are lots of other ways to boost your mood; making time to do things with friends, starting an enjoyable hobby, talking on the phone with a friend or loved one, among others. Being happier will not only lengthen your life it will also enrich your life.