FINDING HAPPINESS

Becoming More Engaged in Life Will Lead you to Finding Happiness!

Most of us tell ourselves that we just want to be happy - happy in love, happy at work, happy playing with our friends…But, what is happiness? Few of us have ever really thought about it, even though it is what we wish for.

Happiness is an emotion ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is fleeting and only lasts a minute or so. When it lasts for more than five minutes, we call it ecstasy, longer and it’s psychosis.  Most of us appreciate that warm “feel good” sensation when we are content, so let that be our goal.

WHAT CAUSES OUR HAPPINESS?

What makes us happy? The Center for Disease Control says that we are happier in our sixties than in our twenties, so it’s not youth.  We are happier when married than single and living in the sun doesn’t help. It’s not money, education or IQ either.

Faith seems to make us happy, especially the sense of community that comes with organized religion. Strong ties to family and friends are important, so is being socially connected.

One Nobel Prize winner found the five top mood lifting activities for women to be: sex, socializing, relaxing, praying or meditating, and eating. Exercising and watching television followed closely. Near the bottom of the list were cooking, “(day-to-day) taking care of my children” and housework.

We constantly pursue pleasure, but enduring happiness is more related to engagement in the process and in meaning.

You’ve probably heard that happiness comes from within? The fact is that at least half comes from how we are programmed genetically, circumstantial factors such as income, marital status, religion and education make up less than 10% of happiness. The remaining 40% comes from our life experiences.

Biologically speaking, our happy hormone Serotonin is a mood enhancer. For some of us, the way we process Serotonin doesn’t function optimally. This may result in depression. Going from depression to neutral is a huge step for some, so “happiness” is a relative term.

HOW TO FIND HAPPINESS

While we may be genetically programmed to see life as the glass half full or half empty, we can change our programming. If you have never read “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton, then do so.The scientific facts are that we CAN change the way our programming is expressed. So, if you were “born” unhappy, the maybe its time you do something about it!

The best thing you can do for yourself is to become more engaged in life. Be proactive; don’t expect happiness to fall into your lap wrapped in a pretty bow.  Make your life more meaningful. Here are some inexpensive suggestions for happiness, tips for these hard financial times:

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #1. You can start by looking after your health. Healthier folks are happier. Eat right, exercise more. You’ll not only feel better, but you’ll look better too.

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #2. Start a new project or take a new class. New is fun, it gives you something to look forward to. Anticipation is a great mood lifter (remember trying to figure out what was in all the wrapped boxes when you where a kid?)

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #3. Perform random acts of kindness. Set a goal: one good deed or maybe even five? Do this every day; you’ll be surprised at how good it makes you feel.

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #4. Use your strengths. If you have a great sense of humor, make certain that you share it with others. If you’re a great story teller, volunteer to read at your local elementary school or library. If you like to give, think about being a Big Brother or Big Sister for an underprivileged or parentless child.

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #5. Volunteer. When you do so, you are less focused on yourself and more focused on others.

FINDING HAPPINESS: TIP #6. Socialize more. That doesn’t mean to start clubbing (though it could), but call up some friends you haven’t seen in a while and meet. Perhaps you’d find it fun to start something new like a club – reading? Bowling? Walking around the neighborhood?  Join a new gym with some friends and start exercising together. Addicted to American Idol or Dancing with the Stars? Rather than watch it home alone, make an event out of it and invite your friends over.

Now here’s the best part: When you are busy at staying happy, you will find that you are more focused in all the other aspects of life. You will feel more fulfilled, you will sleep better at night and you will accomplish more – all the while, with a smile on your face.

Read More

• The Benefits of Laughter
• Be the Change You Want to See in the World
• Happiness is an Inside Job

About Dr. Lobe: Thom E Lobe, MD, FACS, FAAP, is founder and medical director of Beneveda Medical Group in Beverly Hills, CA.  He earned his MD degree, graduating cum laude and with special honors in pediatrics.  Dr. Lobe followed his dream of putting together the most advanced medical practice in existence focusing on the new medical specialty called energy medicine.  The first practice in the US to specialize in Energy Revitalization, Beneveda is second to none in the management of problems many consider resistant to conventional approaches such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight loss, osteoporosis and others.