A recent article published by the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that happiness can benefit the heart. It seems no matter where you turn today, the topic of health intrudes itself - what to eat or not to eat, what exercises you should be doing every day and so forth. Of course in our new world of apps you can self track all your habits (but be mindful your apps are also tracking you!!) But this is the first time I heard how important happiness is to health.
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Made popular by Bob Marley
The past few weeks I have been receiving some physiotherapy for a medley of aches and pains. When I called for an appointment I was asked if my condition was a result of a sports injury. I replied, that it was merely the result of getting old! 'Oh, the old grey mare, she ain't what she used to be' can be applied to my private domicile i.e. my octogenarian body. This in turn raises the question: If happiness is in some way linked to a healthy heart can an elderly person housed in a worn out body be truly happy? Is there a place for optimism as we reach the sunset of our lives?
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| It's as Good as it Gets |
One meaning of optimism is to look on the more favourable side of things as opposed to being a pessimist. Remember the old expression about the glass being half full or half empty? I tend to lean to the half full side of things. I don't know if being happy and optimistic is a biological condition, something we inherit, luck or just an overall attitude towards life. I do recognize fellow citizens who are negative and complain about everything. If the research is correct they have a 50% better chance of having a heart attack than I have!
Hitting into the eighties is like crossing over a rickety swinging bridge. What is important is that you actually don't quit half way across, but continue to struggle to the other side safely. There is no sense looking back and saying I should have made different choices. It's good to practice a little emotional disengagement as well. We all know regrets often lead to anger and even depression. The fact is, I made the choices I made and nothing can now change that. So be happy. It is about letting go of control and allowing the next generation to make their own decisions. It's about enjoying your birthday parties, taking time with friends, continuing to nurture your love relationships, reading good books and not worrying about the fact that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.
What is the most wonderful of all, that fills us with complete optimism, is that it is possible to be in love even in your eighties. So what is there to be pessimistic about anyway? Don't Worry, be Happy and keep your heart healthy.
And that's Dick's View of the World this Week
here's Bobby McFerrin's version of the song - I was just playing it last week! Rob and I went to see him in concert, and he didn't play the song, so I came home and popped it in the CD. It became my ear worm for the week:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
I think although some people may be naturally optimistic, others of us have to work at it. It takes time but you can actually re-wire your brain, and nurture the inclination.
Anyway, don't worry, be happy.
:-)