Be Happy, Live Longer!

Across my desk this week came a reference to a study in the journal, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.  It stated that a review of over one hundred studies has found that - all else being equal - happy people tend to be healthier and live longer.

Lead author and University of Illinois professor emeritus of psychology Ed Diener wrote, "We reviewed eight different types of studies and the general conclusion from each type of study is that your subjective well-being - that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed - contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations."  He elaborated, "I was almost shocked and certainly surprised to see the consistency of the data.  All of these kinds of studies point to the same conclusion: that health and then longevity in turn are influenced by our mood states."

For example he quoted a study that followed nearly 5,000 university students for more than 40 years.  The study found that the more pessimistic students tended to die younger than their happier peers.  Diener stated, "Happiness is no magic bullet, but the evidence is clear and compelling that it changes your odds of getting disease or dying young."

Diener added, "Current health recommendations focus on four things: avoid obesity, eat right, don't smoke, and exercise.  It may be time to add 'be happy and avoid chronic anger and depression' to the list."

I added "Be happy" to my health list years ago.  Happiness does have a wonderful health-giving power to it.  Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love.  It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone but requires all mankind to share it" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 57).  Maybe this is what these studies are hinting at: happiness is a spiritual quality which lives in the deepest parts of our being, but must be expressed. 

This is a wonderful way to bless the world: share our happiness.  Share our joy.  Smile.  Give someone a needed pat on the back.  Let's bring more happiness to our family and friends.  Come on, be happy, live longer!