Happiness is a state of mind that we all aim to achieve, but modern life has led us to be in crisis about what will make us happy. We are relentlessly bombarded with messages that imply that our lives are not happy and are lacking; advertisers promise us products and services that will instantly improve our lives, the media portrays images of happiness based on often unachievable beauty, wealth and fame, and politicians reduce our happiness to a scale of economics.
Research has shown that happiness or “subjective wellbeing” can influence physical health; happier people tend to adopt healthier habits, but also there have been other benefits noted, increased cardiovascular performance, better wound healing and reduced inflammation levels to name but a few. So, what can you do in your own life to be happy?
5 realistic tips to help you achieve the elusive happiness that you deserve.
- Be Kind to Others
It is part of the human condition that we thrive on being kind to others. Not only do you help another person out in their time of need, but you also benefit from undertaking kind acts. Being generous and cooperating with others stimulates the same part of the brain called the striatum that is activated by reward cues good food, financial success and even addictive drugs. The striatum gives us a “warm glow” when we are kind to others.
- Connect with Others
We are social beings, and we need social interaction with others to be happy. People who have strong connections with others are notably happier than those who lack deep relationships. Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to health. Lonely people experience heightened stress hormones that impact on the body systems and can have a serious detrimental impact on its functions. Relationships with others help us to navigate through the challenges that life throws at us, so it is important that you invest time and energy in nurturing relationships.
Note: connecting with others does not mean solely through social media. You need real life authentic relationships that add meaning.
- Fuel for Happiness
Our bodies are a collection of cells that have very particular nutritional requirements in order to function at its optimum. In the busy modern life we lead, it can be easy to get complacent about how we fuel our bodies. When your diet is lacking the nutrients you need, your mind and body feel sluggish, and feelings of happiness can plummet. Convenience foods and poor-quality ingredients united with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain, diabetes and can damage your self-esteem.
Rather than starting an extreme diet to combat your extra weight, it is better to adopt a healthy eating regimen that will ensure they your weight loss is maintained. A program such as Sane Solution can help transform your eating habits so that you can be happy with your body – click here for more information.
- Smell the Roses
While you are dashing about working, raising your family and building on friendships, it can be easy to focus on the destination rather than enjoying the journey. Appreciate what is around you and seek happiness and joy in the ordinary. Slow down and be alert to your surroundings and enjoy the here and now. Put away your device, turn off the notifications on your cell phone and quit multitasking.
By living in the moment, your attention will be diverted to the finer beauty of your surroundings. Embrace mindfulness techniques to help to focus your mind and enhance your experience of the world. You will find that once you master these techniques, you are able to find happiness in even the mundane.
- Define Goals
To achieve happiness, you also need to feel positive about the future. Choose realistic goals that will give you a positive direction to move in. Think about what you would like to achieve and the steps that you need to take to be able to reach them. Once you have defined your goal, you will be motivated and excited by the prospect of accomplishing it, and great satisfaction when you meet your target.
Happiness does not have to be elusive. By making changes to your lifestyle and thought processes, you can be happy. You need to live in the present and be alert to the prospects of joy that are all around you daily; however, you also need to look to the future, and how today’s choices and options can influence the tomorrow.
The post How to Be Happy and Healthy in both Mind and Body appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a holistic medicine doctor do?
Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may combine western medicine with traditional methods like acupuncture and herbs.
They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. After treatment, the patient should feel better.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” means considering all aspects of a person’s life.
What are alternative medicines?
Alternative medicine refers only to alternative treatments that are not considered to be effective in treating diseases. These include traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, and energy healing techniques such as reiki.
Alternative medicine may also refer not to scientific evidence but that have been successfully used in clinical practice. These include yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, reflexology and flower essences.
Why is holistic medicine so much better?
Holistic care addresses the whole person rather that individual symptoms. Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person, not just individual symptoms. This includes how they feel, what they eat and where they live.
Holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the patient’s life, and treats them as a whole. Although this sounds easy in theory, it’s very difficult to do in practice. Many doctors only focus on the physical aspects of patients.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- PubMed: Holistic medicine.
webmd.com
How To
What are the qualities of a qualified holistic physician?
How can you find a qualified doctor who is skilled in holistic medicine?
Specialization in a particular field is what makes doctors the best. In this case, we talk about holistic medicine. This means that doctors must learn how to treat their patients holistically. A holistic doctor should have a deep understanding of holistic health.
The doctor should be able to understand holistic health as well as complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), such chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Holistic practitioners should also be capable of diagnosing your condition and explaining the available treatments to you so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.
Also, ask if the doctor holds certifications from professional associations such as the American Holistic Medical Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA is a certification body that offers certifications in many areas of medicine, including naturopathic and acupuncture as well homeopathy, clinical nutrition, herbs, and aromatherapy.
Check out our directory to find a holistic practitioner near you. You may be able search online to find a holistic physician near you if there aren’t any listed.
To confirm if holistic healthcare is offered, contact your local hospital.
For books and information on holistic healthcare, visit your library.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: jbenson@innovisionhm.com
Title: How to Be Happy and Healthy in both Mind and Body
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/mindfulness/how-to-be-happy-healthy-mind-and-body/
Published Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2023 16:29:52 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a holistic medicine doctor do?
Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may combine western medicine with traditional methods like acupuncture and herbs.
They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. After treatment, the patient should feel better.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term “holistic” means considering all aspects of a person’s life.
What are alternative medicines?
Alternative medicine refers only to alternative treatments that are not considered to be effective in treating diseases. These include traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, and energy healing techniques such as reiki.
Alternative medicine may also refer not to scientific evidence but that have been successfully used in clinical practice. These include yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, reflexology and flower essences.
Why is holistic medicine so much better?
Holistic care addresses the whole person rather that individual symptoms. Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person, not just individual symptoms. This includes how they feel, what they eat and where they live.
Holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the patient’s life, and treats them as a whole. Although this sounds easy in theory, it’s very difficult to do in practice. Many doctors only focus on the physical aspects of patients.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- PubMed: Holistic medicine.
webmd.com
How To
What are the qualities of a qualified holistic physician?
How can you find a qualified doctor who is skilled in holistic medicine?
Specialization in a particular field is what makes doctors the best. In this case, we talk about holistic medicine. This means that doctors must learn how to treat their patients holistically. A holistic doctor should have a deep understanding of holistic health.
The doctor should be able to understand holistic health as well as complementary and alternative therapies (CAM), such chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Holistic practitioners should also be capable of diagnosing your condition and explaining the available treatments to you so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options.
Also, ask if the doctor holds certifications from professional associations such as the American Holistic Medical Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NBOHMCA is a certification body that offers certifications in many areas of medicine, including naturopathic and acupuncture as well homeopathy, clinical nutrition, herbs, and aromatherapy.
Check out our directory to find a holistic practitioner near you. You may be able search online to find a holistic physician near you if there aren’t any listed.
To confirm if holistic healthcare is offered, contact your local hospital.
For books and information on holistic healthcare, visit your library.
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