Spring is a time of renewal, change and growth. A time to reflect on the past and head into the future with positivity. In honor of the spring season, Sphinx Date Co. offers some tips for health and happiness this season and each one after that.
Health is such an individual thing and it holds different meanings for each person. When examining one’s personal state of health, it’s important to consider mind, body and soul. And happiness has a huge impact on health! More and more studies are determining that it’s not just what people put into their bodies or how they move their bodies, but also what they do throughout each day to contribute to their own mental wellbeing.
Friendships, personal pursuits and hobbies as well as simple enjoyments have all been shown to increase health. Finding purpose and connection are actually two proven keys to happiness that Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner has identified from the happiest places around the world.
Need a little happy? Why not call a friend, take a walk in nature, volunteer at an animal shelter or dive into a personal career goal?
In reference to the latter, Buettner, in his research, identified Singapore as one of the happiness places around the world and found residents’ happiness stems from life satisfaction and their hard work ethic. Over in Costa Rica, another of his identified happiest places in the world, Buettner says residents’ easy access to nature and so much greenery, as well as their ability to prioritize social interaction contributes to their happiness. Finally, Denmark is defined by people pursuing careers they love and also pursuing passions and activities that bring them joy and allows them to use their abilities.
While these factors contribute to happiness, they also contribute to health. Getting more in touch with nature, say hiking or enjoying a biking trail, is good for the body and the mind. Pursuing a career one enjoys reduces stress, another health tip... And the Mayo Clinic even agrees that strong social connections and socializing “not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.”
How about that for health benefits?
This spring, why not focus on the healthy things that can also bring about more joy? Consider building upon a current fitness routine with more time spent outdoors or in nature with a sunrise or sunset walk or bike ride (bonus if it’s with a friend for that social time!), pursue a new hobby or interest or find a way to make one’s own strengths at work shine.
After all, health goes well beyond our bodies. This spring, Sphinx Date Co. encourages everyone to find increase their health by increasing their happiness!