How to Be Happier & Healthier

Happy people are healthier people. I know you have probably heard this a thousand times, but it is true, and it's pretty simple too!

Why are happy people healthier?

• The biggest reason that happy people are healthier is because of their heart. They literally have healthier hearts. I believe it's because they have less stress which we we know is the big K>I>L>L>E>R when it comes to heart problems. 
• Happy people are also healthier because they are able to fight off infections easier and have less aches and pains. It is because they tend to have better immunity and a more positive attitude about not getting or feeling unwell!
• And finally, happy people are healthier and generally will live longer, mostly because of the reasons stated above. ​So why waste time being unhappy and miserable?  Start being happier today.

But how? How can you simply make yourself happy when  you really aren't? 

Mind over matter, with a little practice.  Trust me when I tell you, I have my good and bad days just like anyone else but here is what I do to be, and stay, happy:

1. Think happy thoughts and choose to be happy. This is the most important thing you can do. I say to myself , " I am going to choose not to let 'such and such' bother me." And then I don't let it bother me. I also try to find some positive about everything, even if it is small. If the thought creeps back in I shut it down again and focus on the positive instead.
2. Smile. A lot. It's contagious.  I can't stress this enough. If you are smiling all the time for yourself and at others, they generally will smile back and it just makes everyone nicer, and happier, to be around. Including you!
3. Be thankful and count your blessings for what you have, not what you don't have. One of the big reasons people find themselves unhappy is because they are always thinking about what they don't have. Instead, think about what you do have: family, friends, your pet, a nice home, etc. Focus on all the wonderful things in your life instead.
4. Let go of anger and forgive. This is huge.  It takes a lot of energy to stay angry at people for both big and little things. Thats angry, stressful energy and it is very unhealthy. For your own health you need to move forward and forgive. It doesn't mean you have to forget, but if you forgive them their transgression no matter how big or small, you can then use that energy to move toward happiness instead.
5. Be generous. Do nice things for others for no reason other than to feel good about it. Hold a door, help out, compliment them, smile and ask them how they are. When you do nice things expecting nothing in return it feels good and leads to feeling better about who you are as a person which in turn leads to happiness.
6. It's your responsibility to to make yourself happy, not anyone else's. It's also not your job to make others happy, it's theirs. If we leave it up to others to make us happy then we can never really be truly happy inside.
7. Find a balance. This is the last thing, but it is important.  There has to be balance between work and play. Take time to chase butterflies, smell the flowers, etc.  You deserve it!

​Of course you can find this extra time by creating a simpler life for yourself and your family!
You knew that was coming, didn't you?
Hang in there, my book "The ABC's of Creating A Simpler Life" should be out this fall, but in the meantime there are a lot of ways to help simplify your life throughout this site so there is no reason not to get started right away!
​But most importantly, be happy :-)

Thanks for visiting!
Sincerely,

Sources:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_happiness_is_good_for_your_health​