Why it matters: The Founding Fathers were right about the pursuit of happiness being as critical as life and liberty. Happiness boosts the immune system and helps tamp down stress. Involvement with activities, people, and experiences that bring joy and contentment also boost optimism and positive attitude, both of which are linked to longevity. And pursuing reasonable pleasures helps one live more fully in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past or suffering until some future happiness comes along (as in slogging through a job you hate in order to enjoy an annual two-week vacation).
The catch: Most people aren’t good at knowing what makes them happy, says University of Wisconsin geriatric psychiatrist Ken Robbins, a Caring.com senior medical editor who’s also board-certified in internal medicine.
What to try: Cultivate what psychologists call an “observing ego,” Robbins says. Pay extra-close attention to your mood for a few days. Jot down what’s happening during times when you feel particularly happy, as well as what circumstances drain you or trigger anxiety. Who are you with? What are you doing? What are you thinking about? How do you feel physically and why? How can you get more of those good feelings and minimize the less-good ones?
Source
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment