LINK BETWEEN
HAPPINESS AND STRESS
By Elizabeth Scott, MS
Updated May 02, 2019
One challenging aspect of stress is that it can
pile up: activities that are mildly stressful can feel overwhelming when you
are experiencing too much stress in other areas. Fortunately, it’s also true
that small spurts of stress relief can accumulate, and can add up to increased
resilience. One potential challenge that many people face when stressed and
busy, however, is that they feel they lack the time or energy to practice some
of the most stress-relieving and resilience-promoting activities when they need
them the most.
For example, exercise is an extremely effective stress
reliever, and can even build energy in the long run, but many people find it
too difficult to face a workout when they’re already exhausted. Meditation can
be an extremely calming activity that can also build resilience, but sometimes
sitting quietly can seem to amplify stressful thoughts. (There are ways around
both of these issues, but many people find it easier to simply give up.)
This is why it is such great news that bursts of happiness
can lead to greater resilience toward stress. Many of the things that can
lift our moods—playing with a pet, watching a funny video, or even eating
chocolate, for example—are quick and easy to fit into one’s day. Savouring these
experiences can expand on the benefits you’ll already experience. Read on to
find out how this actually works, and then I’ll share with you some more
strategies for lifting your mood.
Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, through what is known as
the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions has pioneered a branch
of study that has found that positive emotions such as joy, contentment, or
appreciation carry independent and lasting benefits. Instances of elevated mood
(or increased
happiness) broaden one’s perspective and behavioural repertoire and
build lasting personal resources including mindfulness, resilience, closer
relationships, and even improved physical health as well as lower levels
of depression and higher levels if life satisfaction.
Enjoying the Benefits of Happiness
What does all of this have to do with stress management?
This branch of research shows how happiness and stress relief are connected:
doing little things to lift your mood really can have a lasting effect on your
resilience toward stress. Each time you do something nice for yourself, you’re
taking a step toward feeling less stressed now and in the future, and enjoying
other benefits as well! Here is some more of what the research in this
area has to say.
- Good Moods Lead to Increased Resources: Several studies have found that positive
emotions create a greater likelihood of creating resources to support
social connection, and increase your ability to manage stress. While
negative emotional states can lead to a “tunnel vision” experience where
people focus so much on the negative that they miss opportunities in their
lives, people experiencing happiness are more likely to build
personal resources that are linked with resilience toward stress,
including personal resilience, interpersonal resources like supportive
friends, and practical resources like a secure financial situation. This
increase in resources leads to more frequent good moods, and an upward
spiral is created, which leads to benefits in health, happiness, and life
satisfaction.
- These Resources Are Numerous: A study of 99 college students measured mood
over the past week and gave subjects a battery of personality tests and
questionnaires found that positive mood predicted greater resources in
coping and resilience (as demonstrated by higher GPAs and other
achievements), higher quality relationships, better health, and greater
resilience. Those with more negative moods scored lower in these areas.
- Positive Mood Can Help Improve Emotional Health: One study even found that increases in a good
mood (also known as “positive affect”) may counteract unhappy or fearful
states characteristic of mood disorders such as those involving anxiety,
depression, or schizophrenia. (Note: if you are experiencing these
disorders, it is also important to work with your therapist or talk to
your doctor; this is not meant to replace the advice of a professional,
but to supplement.)
- Bottom Line: Ultimately,
a review of the literature—a study of many studies—found that positive
mood and positive thinking increase one’s ability to manage stress in
healthy ways, which leads to improved health outcomes such as increased
immunity and longevity, as well as improved lifestyle factors such as
greater job satisfaction.
So how can a stressed and busy person work these good moods
into a packed schedule, you may be wondering? There are several
strategies that work, and activities that you know make you happy (with
few negative consequences, of course) are a great place to start.
Disclaimer:
The content of this blog is for informational purposes only.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any question you may have regarding a medical
condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor
immediately. Opt4health does not recommend or endorse any specific tests,
physician, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be
mentioned on the Opt4health blog. Reliance on any information provided by
Opt4health, Opt4health employees, other contributors appearing on the blog at
the invitation of Opt4health, or other visitors to the blog is solely at your
own risk.
Opt4health:
Cell: +27823716364
Email: aubrey@opt4health.co.za
Web site: http://opt4health.co.za
Face Book: https://facebook.com/optforhealth/
Linked In: https://linkedin.com/in/aubrey-huntly-89025a1/
No comments:
Post a Comment