Everyone wants to be happy and everybody can be when we have healthy attitudes, beliefs, and values. Despite the current global crisis, an increase in the use anti-depressant drugs and talk of emotional disorders, the truth is, most people are happy. According to a recent study, people who live in relatively free countries (and aren't in prison or psychiatric institutions) declare to be a least moderately cheerful in spite of their age, gender, and financial status.
It's true that happy people behave and think differently than unhappy people. If we want to be one of the happy folks, we may need to take inventory of the following factors. Since the choice is ours, we can begin today to identify and adjust the reasons why we're not behaving, believing; and therefore creating happy lives.
According to research, here's what makes a happy person:
1. Happy people are more loving, forgiving, trusting, decisive, creative, sociable, and helpful.
2. Some say that money doesn't make you happy.
Not true. Happier people have more money. There is a connection between wealth and well-being, though it is not significant. Stress from financial disorder does make people depressed. However, wealth cannot be attributed to redeeming a depressed person. And money only reports to support happiness when it meets needs and a little bit more. Wealth alone doesn't predict happiness.*
3. Happy people are more opt to set optimistic goals and strive to meet them.
4. Happy people have healthier immune systems that result from happy attitudes.
5. Happy people don't suppress good feelings when they feel them.
They laugh when they feel like it. If they receive a compliment, they accept it.
6. Happy people are less self-focused.
7. Happy people are less violent and aggressive.
8. Happier people are usually spiritual people.
Though some studies show that some forms of active spirituality can correlate with prejudice and guilt, for the most part, a belief in God, and consequently, an active spiritual life correlates well with several mental health criteria. People who are active in their church tend to be less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, divorce, or commit suicide.
9. Happy people have strong support systems.
When we have a large crowd of loving friends and family, we are more happy and healthy, and less likely to die prematurely.
10. Happy people have positive and healthy relationships.
A large amount of data showed that people are happier when have healthy relationships with a partner, their family and friends.
We have the choice to be happy by changing behaviors that make us unhappy. For this week's personal growth, take inventory of your state of happiness.
Ask yourself:
* Do I have a healthy support system? If not, why? Do I have emotional walls that push people away, including a spouse or potential mate? If so, why?
* Am I in debt or without a sufficient income and so I'm stressed? If so, how did I get to this point? What beliefs do I have about money that prevent me from creating abundance?
* Am I self-absorbed? If so, why? Do I believe I am worthy to have my needs met and do I allow others to meet my needs?
* Do I set optimistic goals and try to reach them? If not, why?
* Do I suppress laughter and reject compliments? If so, why?
* Am I spiritually connected, believing in a divine, higher power of love, light, and truth?
* Am I willing to love, forgive, trust, serve, and interact with others? If not, why?
For extra support, consider regularly diffusing dōTERRA citrus essential oils. All citrus essential oils are natural mood uplifters. With regular use, they have the ability to uplift mood and encourage happiness.
For this week's personal growth, consider regularly diffusing dōTERRA citrus oils while at the same time, see how you can use the questions above to position you to live a happier, more fulfilled life.
Through self-exploration and by taking action, we can unlock the doors to living happier lives.
Best Wishes,
Rebecca Hintze