Art of Happiness: Is There a Science Behind It?
Most of us think that the art of happiness is just that - a subjective art based on the unique perceptions of an individual as shaped by various forces in his life. Think of the adage about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder.
You might be wrong, however, as the art of happiness has scientific basis. After all, science has proven that our emotions reside in our brains, not in our hearts, and it is in our minds that we can have control over our happiness.
Exercise Promotes Happiness
In the beginning of exercise research, the aspect of happiness was overlooked. Exercise was only thought to positively influence physical health particularly in weight loss and muscle gain. The art of happiness in exercise was simply a crazy preposition.
Well, it is not one now. Exercise works in two ways towards making the art of happiness become reality in your life. First, it releases abundant amounts of endorphins, which are chemicals able to stimulate feelings of happiness. Think of them as natural although non-addictive opium to your body.
Second, exercise stimulates the production of antibodies in the immune system. When your body has sufficient supply of antibodies, you have better protection against diseases and stresses. And when you are healthy, you have one more reason to be happy! So who says that the art of happiness is not intimately connected to exercise?
Genes Determine Happiness
Well, at least, for the most part. In a study conducted on sets of identical twins raised in different households, it was discovered that the happiness of the twins were 50 percent correlated. This was true even when social, economic and religious factors widely differed, which only goes to show that even genes may know of the art of happiness.
You will not be surprised then when the majority of happy families breed happy children. Think of it as winning the genetic lottery in the art of happiness. Don’t despair, however, if you feel that you grew up in less than happy circumstances. Keep in mind that the art of happiness is one that you can consciously accept, adopt and apply in your everyday life.
Positive Psychology Enhances Happiness
Positive psychology is defined as consisting of positive activities and emotions, both of which are conscious personal choices. Its professional practitioners seek to promote the art of happiness by nurturing talents, enhancing virtues and making life fulfilling.
You can apply the tenets of positive psychology in your own version of the art of happiness, which include learned optimism and hope as well as a heightened sense of self-efficacy and spirituality. Ultimately, positive psychology points the way to happiness being a conscious choice borne of your determination to be happy in spite of external circumstances.
So, to answer the question of whether the art of happiness has science to back it up, it is a resounding yes! Remember that when you smile and when you make others smile.
Know more about the art of happiness at www.happyessence.com today!
