“He achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much…”
Does this quote sound familiar to you? It’s from Bessie Anderson Stanley’s poem “Success,” and you’ll probably recognize the motivational slogan it inspired: Live, Laugh, Love. Ten years ago, this phrase was the trendiest thing that ever happened to a throw pillow, and was printed on all kinds of home décor. Nowadays, it’s become a bit of a joke, especially among the younger generation. It reads as tired, basic, and shallow to them—which is a shame, since it’s still a worthy goal to work towards.
The simple truth is that chronic stress is bad for you. When your body’s response stays active long-term, you’re at higher risk for problems ranging from headaches and muscle pain to anxiety and impaired memory. Managing your stress in a healthy way helps, but you can do even better than that! When you live happily, it can lead to many visible benefits in different parts of your life.
- Health: happier people are more resistant to colds, have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, heal faster from wounds, and even live longer!
- Wellness: with more energy and optimism, a happy person is more likely to exercise regularly and keep up with household chores.
- Social: it’s fun to be around people with positive attitudes, and you’re more willing to give when you’re in a good mood.
- Work and Hobbies: you’re more productive when your morale is high.
Now that you know what you have to gain, the question is, “how do I become a happier person?” Luckily, 40% of our happiness can be influenced by intentional thoughts and actions, and Project Happiness is prepared to help—check out articles and inspiration on the science of happiness here! With these tools at your fingertips, you can live, laugh, love your way to a long and happy life.
Sources:
Heart.org – How happiness affects health
Purdue University – The Amazing Benefits of Happiness
