5 Body Based Paths to Happiness

By Jacob Duchaine on 10:00 AM

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Photo By: Mátyás Huszár1) Sunlight - Make certain that you're exposed to a minimum of an hour of direct sunlight every day, preferably in the morning. I know, the morning is the time when it's least convenient, but it's also the time when it's most important and most valuable. If you make sure you get that sunlight, you're going to find it lifts your mood and gives you an energy boost within a couple of days, and it will likely have some effect the very first day. It's worth mentioning too that the more the sunlight gets on your skin and in your eyes (do not look directly into the sun) the greater the effects will be, so don't wear heavy clothes and sunglasses when you go outside.

Not only will the sunlight make you happier directly simply by being in it, but you'll also fine that absorbing a bit of sunlight each day will increase your overall health, both because being happy gives your immune system a boost, and because exposure to sunlight causes your skin to generate vitamin D3.

2) Chocolate - Chocolate and similar treats have effects on the neurotransmitters in the brain. You can see the scientific explanation in countless scholarly papers, but for the purposes of this article saying they do is sufficient. Chocolate reduces stress and causes a feeling of comfort and happiness, so you should try to have a little chocolate every day.

3) Sleep - Getting enough sleep can actually have profound effect upon the proper function of your brain, including the parts effecting your level of happiness. Depending on your age you should try to get between 6 and 9 hours of sleep each night. According to Po Bronson people needed around 9.2 hours of sleep until they were 21. He mentioned that this didn't apply to every child, but on average their performance was hurt if they got less. Getting plenty of sleep is still important when you get older, the only difference is that you're better off getting 6-7 hours of sleep nightly rather than 8-9.

4) Physical Intimacy - Psychology holds that physical intimacy is vital to human nature. If an infant doesn't get enough, they don't develop as well, and occasionally they actually die. As adults, we're not really at risk of dying without it, but it does tend to play a part in our feelings of self worth and happiness. Physical intimacy can come in many forms, although at various stages of development you may find some more appealing then others.

5) Exercise - Last and least desirable but not least important, is exercise. Exercise strengthens your body, and releases stress. When you exercise it releases endorphins and adrenalin into your body, which are chemicals known to increase happiness help you feel good. Beyond that, it also increases the health and strength of the body, which will indirectly make you happier.

A secondary effect of exercise is the boost in self esteem that will come with the physical effects. As your body becomes physically more fit and attractive, you'll find yourself enjoying life more and more as your self esteem rises drastically.



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6 comments for this post

Jacob, I find your steps very accurate, and I like that your focus was at the body level. It is an important factor that is often overlooked, when we are busy seeking emotional happiness. Body and mind are one, and starting from the body is simple and easy to do and it will uplift us spiritually as well.

Another good step to consider, is water. To bathe or swim energizes the body. The feeling of cleanliness, clears the mind too. :-)

Posted on April 10, 2009  

I am a firm believer in sunshine does a body good. Not only is it the best way to get your Vitamin D but, it just has a way of uplifting and rejuvenating your mind.

I do not really eat Chocolate yet, I know many people that do seem happier after having some. LOL!

When it comes to Exercise, I think one sure fire way to feel better is to close the curtains (so the neighbors don't laugh), turn up the music and dance like a crazy woman. My daughter and I do this. Yes, we end up laughing more than dancing but, we feel good.

Posted on April 10, 2009  

Thanks for commenting WeWillSee.

Sunshine does good for the body and mind, and the mind through the body.

If you don't like chocolate, don't knock yourself out trying to use it as a chemical mood boost, but if you do enjoy the taste of chocolate, it has chemical properties which actually boost the mood through interaction with the chemicals in your brain.

It sounds like you and your daughter have some real fun keeping in shape, and laughing is just as good for keeping happy as exercise, if not more important.

I usually participate in a fantasy combat game called Dagorhir to get in my exersize. I have some fun doing that too, though perhaps not as much fun as you and your daughter.

Posted on April 10, 2009  

I do find that chocolate is good for your happiness. Most people nowadays seem to think that everything can be fixed by medicine and happiness is found when you have money. This society is just getting too materialistic. I'm glad you talked about ways that were natural and didn't include money or medicine.

Posted on April 11, 2009  

Well, money is a mental aid to happiness anyway. I was seeking things you could do with your body without much outside help, or need for material consumption.

Posted on April 11, 2009  

I'd add "dance"! Totally body based. Totally happy. :)

Posted on April 14, 2009  

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