The Pursuit of Happiness science-based and psychological No BS

"Fairy tale does not deny the existence of sorrow and failure: the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of deliverance. It denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat...giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy; Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief. J. R. R. Tolkien" Link tree linktr.ee/Brookebutterworth Brooke IMDB imdb.com/name/nm5848633 Instagram instagram.com/brookebutterworthofficial 1. Gratitude: Emiliana Simon-Thomas, who heads the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. “Gratitude, in many ways, was one of the first ideas to launch the field of positive psychology,” Simon-Thomas said. “So instead of only trying to figure out how to correct what’s gone wrong, can we figure out how to optimize what is just fine? … Can we build strength and tenacity and resilience so that individuals can be their best selves, rather than simply ensure that should they get sick, we know how to ameliorate the symptoms of that illness?” Positive psychology has helped establish a classification of positive emotions, including how and why they evolved. “Gratitude fits into a category of what we would call pro-social emotions, and these are emotions that orient us towards the welfare of others,” Simon-Thomas said. “It creates this kind of bond, this enduring sense of connection, with another person or another organism who we’re poised to cooperate with.” That cooperation, Simon-Thomas said, has been key to our survival as a species. 2. Next is find a spiritual practice , something to give you a higher purpose and take you out of self focus and into helping others. Stephanie Brown, PhD, of the university's Institute for Social Research, and colleagues followed 423 older couples over a five-year period, as part of larger community-based project studying the changing lives of older couples. They found that people who reported providing no instrumental or emotional support to others were more than twice as likely to die in the five years as people who helped spouses, friends, relatives and neighbors. Researchers built the study from previous data suggesting that social interaction, volunteer work, and healthy habits can lead to a longer life. What does that have to do with happiness and spirituality and why does spirituality matter? Happiness was significantly associated with lower mortality aka health. Spiritual pratices have been found to add to lower mortality. Mental Health: Research suggests that spirituality and religious involvement are linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Engaging in spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, or mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Physical Health: Some studies indicate that individuals who are religious or spiritual tend to have better physical health outcomes. They may have lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, and stronger immune systems. Coping Mechanisms: Spirituality and religion often provide people with coping mechanisms to deal with life's challenges, such as illness, grief, or trauma. Belief systems and practices can offer comfort, hope, and a sense of meaning and purpose, which can enhance resilience and psychological well-being. Longevity: Several studies have suggested a positive correlation between religious involvement and increased longevity. Engaging in religious practices and having a strong sense of spiritual faith may contribute to a longer lifespan, possibly through healthier behaviors, stress reduction, and social support. Quality of Life: Spirituality and religious beliefs have been associated with higher reported levels of life satisfaction and overall quality of life. People who feel connected to something greater than themselves often experience a sense of fulfillment, belonging, and inner peace. Health Behaviors: Individuals who are religious or spiritual may be more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. People who go to church services regularly live up to 4 years longer. According to Vanderbilt study, middle-aged (ages 40 to 65) adults – both men and women – who attend church or other houses of worship reduce their risk for mortality by 55 percent. Another study found people who go to church synagogue or mosque are less stressed and tend to live longer. One of the most comprehensive, published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2016, found that women who went to any kind of religious service more than once a week had a 33% lower chance than their secular peers of dying during the 16-year study-follow-up period. Another study, published last year in PLOS One, found that regular service attendance was linked to reductions in the body’s stress responses and even in mortality–so much so that worshippers were 55% less likely to die during the up to 18-year follow-up period than people who didn’t frequent the temple, church or mosque.