![]() It appears that happiness may also help protect people who already have heart disease. Happiness was associated with a 22% lower risk over the 10-year study period, even after risk factors were accounted for, such as age, cholesterol levels and blood pressure ( 34). One long-term of 1,500 adults found that happiness helped protect against heart disease. ![]() Happiness may also reduce the risk of heart disease, the biggest cause of death worldwide ( 30).Ī number of studies have shown that being happy has been associated with a 13–26% lower risk of heart disease ( 31, 32, 33). Happiness may protect the heart by reducing blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease ( 27, 28).Ī study of over 6,500 people over the age of 65 found that positive well-being was linked to a 9% lower risk of high blood pressure ( 29). Happy people tend to produce lower levels of cortisol in response to stressful situations. Summary: Stress increases levels of the hormone cortisol, which can cause weight gain, disturbed sleep and high blood pressure. When the researchers followed up with the same group of adults three years later, there was a 20% difference in cortisol levels between the happiest and least happy people ( 26). These effects appeared to persist over time. In fact, one study in over 200 adults gave participants a series of stressful lab-based tasks, and found that the cortisol levels in the happiest individuals were 32% lower than for unhappy participants ( 25). Normally, excess stress causes an increase in levels of cortisol, a hormone that contributes to many of the harmful effects of stress, including disturbed sleep, weight gain, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.Ī number of studies demonstrate that cortisol levels tend to be lower when people are happier ( 22, 23, 24). Summary: Being happy may help keep your immune system strong, which might help you fight off the common cold and chest infections.īeing happy may help reduce stress levels ( 20, 21). These include healthy eating habits and regular physical activity ( 17). What’s more, happy people are more likely to take part in health-promoting behaviors that play a role in keeping the immune system strong. It may be due to the impact of happiness on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates your immune system, hormones, digestion and stress levels ( 18, 19). ![]() The effects of happiness on the immune system are not completely understood. Happier students were nearly twice as likely to have a high antibody response, a sign of a strong immune system ( 18). In another study, researchers gave 81 university students a vaccine against hepatitis B, a virus that attacks the liver. The least happy people were almost three times as likely to develop the common cold compared to their happier counterparts ( 17). One study in over 300 healthy people looked at the risk of developing a cold after individuals were given a common cold virus via nasal drops. This may help reduce your risk of developing colds and chest infections ( 16). Research has shown that being happier may help keep your immune system strong ( 15). Studies show that happier people are more likely to eat healthier diets and engage in physical activity.Ī healthy immune system is important for overall health. Summary: Being happy may help promote a healthy lifestyle. That said, a 2016 review of 44 studies concluded that, while there appears to be a link between positive well-being and sleep outcomes, further research from well-designed studies is needed to confirm the association ( 14). One study of over 700 adults found that sleep problems, including trouble falling asleep and difficulty staying asleep, were 47% higher in those who reported low levels of positive well-being ( 13). What’s more, being happier may also improve sleep habits and practices, which is important for concentration, productivity, exercise performance and maintaining a healthy weight ( 10, 11, 12). Regular physical activity helps build strong bones, increase energy levels, decrease body fat and lower blood pressure ( 7, 8, 9). ![]() In the same study of 7,000 adults, researchers found that individuals with a positive well-being were 33% more likely to be physically active, with 10 or more hours of physical activity per week ( 3). Happy people tend to eat healthier diets, with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains ( 1, 2).Ī study of more than 7,000 adults found that those with a positive well-being were 47% more likely to consume fresh fruits and vegetables than their less positive counterparts ( 3).ĭiets rich in fruits and vegetables have consistently been associated with a range of health benefits, including lower risks of diabetes, stroke and heart disease ( 4, 5, 6). Being happy promotes a range of lifestyle habits that are important for overall health.
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