The happiest and most positive people feel healthier and are less prone to health problems, contrary to the less optimistic, who tend to be more aware of the physical and psychological problems that affect them.
These conclusions emerge from the study ‘Happiness and the perception of health’, carried out by the Coca-Cola Institute of Happiness and the Completeness University of Madrid.
An example collected in the research shows, for example, that the possibility of having depression in the happiest group of people is nine times less than in the least positive group, and that of suffering from insomnia is four times less.
The report, which has been carried out in Spain on a population between 18 and 65 years old and a sample of 3,000 interviews, also reveals that to be optimistic the help of family and friends is very important. “Social support promotes happiness”, explained the doctor and co-author of the study, Gonzalo Hera’s, at a press conference, who stated that feeling accompanied improves the state of health.
Being in the company promotes happiness
Furthermore, according to research, people who are optimistic and capable of overcoming adversity do not see their happiness reduced in difficult times, something that does occur in those with a more negative outlook on life.
One of the general conclusions of the report establishes that, in general, and according to the importance given to a health problem, the relationship “more affected-less satisfied” and “more importance given-less satisfied” is fulfilled.
For Joseph Maria Serra-Granulose, professor at the Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychobiology at the University of Barcelona, high levels of happiness improve “mental health” Thus, being more optimistic increases health because it affects three systems: the nervous, the neuroendocrine and the immune.
Being happy reduces the possibility of contracting diseases
For this reason, those who are happier regularly suffer less cardio and cerebrovascular alterations, and, as their immune system is strengthened, the possibility of contracting diseases decreases.
“Some studies indicate that happiness increases longevity,” said Dr. Serra-Grabulosa.
The doctor has explained that there is no gene that by itself increases happiness, but that this is the result of the influence of various factors in the brain.
“There is not a single point that when stimulated gives us complete happiness,” said the doctor, who has declared that it is necessary for science to delve into how to promote our health from well-being.