How to Be Happy and Healthy

The latest data suggest that 73% of the U.S. population is overweight or obese, while 10% of the same people suffer from depression. This should not come as a surprise. Decades of prosperity in this country have led people to consider extreme excess as the norm. On the other hand, the latest financial and economical condition and job market haven’t been making people happy.

While we as individuals cannot single-handedly reverse these negative trends, a few simple adjustments can help make a difference.

• Eat right. We don’t have to be a vegan or join Weight Watchers to stay fit and feel better, but common sense should prevail. If your in-take is larger than your out-lay, the math is simple and you will gain weight. I, for one, will be the last one who looks at the food label and counts the calories every time I eat, but when SPAM is on sale, I would pick the turkey or “light” version instead of the “original”. In addition, I don’t consider a meal complete without veggies.

• Exercise. Modern technologies and life style make it almost impossible to balance our energy in-take and out-lay. Let’s face it; we love to eat, whether we need to or not, which makes us happy. Exercise can come in and help burn off the extra calories taken in. It can also make us healthier and more energetic, which in turn makes us happier, too.

• Communicate. Whatever bothering you, let people know. The worst thing to do is to sweep the problem under the rug and keep the feelings in your chest. Do it a couple of times and you will explode. People around you will get affected negatively, too. Talk about it, and you will surely get support and help from those who care. When a problem is resolved, everyone is happy.

• Enjoy what you do. Embrace your job, be it the President or a grade school janitor, and remind yourself that not everyone can do it. When you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, might as well enjoy it. But if you really can’t bring yourself to even come close to liking it, it’s time to find something you desire. Never let yourself “go postal”; it’s not good for anyone.

• Love yourself. Movies stars are glamorous; and the athletes are popular. But you are who you are. You are born for a good reason, and have your own good value to your loved ones and the society. More often than not, a simple life is a happier one. Life is too short to take yourself too seriously.

• Appreciate life. You want to live, don’t you? So many people can’t have what we take for granted every day. In Middle East, in Africa, and most recently, in Haiti, thousands have lost their lives. We can only have one life. Let’s take good care of it.

Happiness and health go hand in hand. Good health leads to happiness; and happiness helps improve your health. Possess both and you will have a good life.