Most Interesting Scientific Findings
Perhaps some of the most interesting scientific findings looking at the impact of happiness is around the connection to life longevity.
A number of studies have looked at the connection between positive emotions – including happiness – and life expectancy. A longitudinal study spanning 13 years conducted by Carstensen et al (2011) found that emotional experience (positive or negative) predicted mortality.
Participants in the study who reported more positive over negative emotions in everyday life were more likely to have survived the length of the study.
Further research seeking to explore the connection found similar results:
- Lawrence, Rogers & Wadsworth (2015) explored the impact of happiness on 32,000 participants and their survival rate over a 30-year period. Participants who were rated the least happy had a 14% higher chance of death than their happiest counterparts.
- A quantitative review of 70 observational studies explored the link between positive affect (well-being) and life expectancy, in both healthy participants and participants who had already been diagnosed with a health condition. Healthy participants who were rated as having a higher positive affect reduced their risk of death by 18%, and by 2% for those with a pre-existing condition (Chida & Steptoe, 2008).
- A further study exploring this connection also indicates that it is the consistency of life satisfaction (or happiness) that has an impact on life longevity. Boehm et al (2015) found that participants who reported a low sense of life satisfaction with a high level of variability (meaning they went through high and low phases) were more likely to die early than participants who reported a consistently low sense of satisfaction.
Researchers have speculated over why this link seems to exist, and why it is so prominent for participants who rate the highest for happiness and positive emotions. Many believe it is because individuals who are happiest, are also more inclined to engage in activities and behaviors that are positive for their overall health, including physical exercise, eating healthy, not smoking, sleeping well, and even meditation (Strine et al, 2008).
6 Proven Health Benefits of Happiness
With so much research showing the multiple positive benefits for our health when we’re happy, here are the top six proven health benefits:
1. Improved Heart Health
Several studies have linked happiness with improved heart health and lower risk of heart disease by 13-26% (Kim, Smith & Kubzansky, 2014, Boehm et al, 2011, Kubzansky & Thurston, 2007, Davidson, Mostofsky & Whang, 2010).
2. Ability to Combat Stress More Effectively
Excess stress causes higher levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – which can lead to a number of health conditions. Multiple studies have found that individuals who are happier have consistently lower cortisol levels in their blood (Smyth et al, 1998, Davydov et al, 2005, Steptoe et al 2008).
3. A Stronger Immune System
Some research has indicated that being happier can support a strong immune system, leading to greater health all round, and the ability to fight infections or disease more effectively (Stone et al, 1987, Cohen et al, 2003, Marsland et al, 2006).
4. Overall Healthier Lifestyle
Happiness has also been linked to several positive and highly beneficial health habits, that promote a greater sense of wellbeing. This includes eating a healthier diet (Dubois et al, 2012), engaging in more physical activity (Sapranaviciute-Zabazlajeva et al, 2017), and overcome poor sleeping habits (Steptoe et al, 2008).
5. Can Help Reduce Pain
Researchers believe that individuals who are happier, have a better perspective and are able to accept new thoughts easily, which can lead to a lower experience of pain especially connected to chronic conditions such as arthritis (Fredrickson, 2004, Berges, Seale & Ostir, 2014).
6. Increased Life Longevity
One of the most interesting finds from the research for health benefits of happiness is its connection with life longevity. Researchers believe that because of the impact happiness has on all of the above health benefits, it can ultimately help you live a longer life (Carstensen et al, 2011, Lawrence, Rogers & Wadsworth, 2015, Chida & Steptoe, 2008).
The research examining the connection between happiness and positive health benefits is still relatively new, and more research is continuing to emerge. That being said, it certainly seems from the current data that working on being happier will have plenty of health benefits.
What our readers think
Great post in the fact it helps us students to better understand it.
Great post : )
I think that when you realize that you can only do two things in life: REACT to it, or CREATE it, everything changes.
Because, when you don’t need things outside to change for you to feel something you want, (reacting), then being happy becomes a decision (creating)… a decision of how you are going to process all the world around you, regardless of how things are.
Getting there is just freedom… and freedom feels good : )
Love you all.
Alem.