Common sense predicts that the most likely source of satisfaction in life is objective circumstances but often this is not the case.
There is very little relationship between happiness and many of the circumstances in life that we consider so important that we would sacrifice years of our lives in order to have them.
At the beginning of this month, I started writing about the ‘pursuit of happiness’. The feeling of happiness, whether you equate it with well-being, success, marriage, children, money, joy, or all of the above, goes hand in hand with healthier habits.
This is the fourth week and although one can never have too much of happiness, it’s time to move on to other topics.
As I end this series, I can’t help thinking of a more suitable ending to the subject than that of food. Those who know me well know what I think about food. To me, eating is enjoyable and one of the many pleasures of life.
For many of us, the subject of food, whether we take notice or not, invokes a whole range of emotions and if you are like me, they are good ones.
Food brings families and friends together and can always be found on special occasions. At every gathering, whether it is to celebrate or to mourn, there is food.
Undeniably, there is something about food that transmits ‘happy’ signals to the brain. Haven’t you realised how people become themselves after a plate of food?
Next time you walk into a casual restaurant/chopbar, watch the people after they have finished eating. Conversations become more animated and laughter increases.
Every coin has two sides. Whenever you hear a story, there is always another side, depending on who is telling the story. So although food can bring enjoyment, it can also lead to the opposite.
Choosing the wrong foods can inevitably lead to a downward spiral of obesity and other health issues. It is important to make this distinction here.
Now, back to the side about happiness. I am telling the story today and this is the side I have chosen. There will always be many opportunities to look at the other side of the story.
Apart from taking away the not-so-pleasant feeling of hunger and preventing starvation, there's more to eating than just supplying your body with the nutrients that it needs.
A study done in the UK by scientists at the University of Warwick, showed that people who ate more fruits and vegetables were less likely to likely to exhibit nervousness, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders.
They were also more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives. Apparently there is a link between the food on my plate and my mental state. This explains why food makes me happy.
Of course, food alone can never make you happy, but it can improve your mood. So can you eat your way into a better mood? Certainly.
For those who think happiness can be found in a bottle of beer or in a mood-enhancing drug, think again.
If you want to improve your mood, pay closer attention to the food you put on your plate. Studies have shown that foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are not only healthful, but can also increase happiness and lessen symptoms of depression. So instead of going for foods that make you moody and miserable, include healthier mood enhancers like salmon, spinach (other leafy greens), nuts, apples, dark chocolate, avocado and oats in your diet. The moment you make better food choices, you are headed in the right direction.
When it comes to good health, happiness is an important factor and must not be overlooked. Not only do happy people enjoy life better; they also practise positive habits.
People who are cheerful and enthusiastic tend to eat better, exercise more frequently and get better sleep than those who are not.
One possible explanation could be that such habits lead to better health, which in turn leads to better mood and happiness.
Studying patients over a period of time, medical research confirms that when faced with illness, happier and more optimistic individuals have been shown to be more proactive in their medical care and more compliant with medication. So you see why your happiness is important?
Happiness is not as elusive as we think it is. It can be found if we look in the right places.
They say that “all’s well that ends well”, so let’s raise our happiness glasses and toast ourselves.
May your glass be full! Cheers! Here’s to your happiness. I hope you find it
