A Happy You Is A Healthy You
April 11, 2017
You’ve heard your parents, doctors and health experts say that a good diet with exercise is the key to great health. Happiness, though, may be just as important.
Studies show that happy people are less likely to experience chronic illness or pain. They also tend to live longer.
On the other hand, people who worry, have a hard time dealing with stress, and/or have pent-up anger and other negative emotions, are more likely to have illnesses like high blood pressure, allergies, constipation, indigestion, and body pain.
Negative emotions, much like bad eating habits, upset the acid-base balance of the body. A highly acidic environment in the body leads to sickness. And unhappiness causes toxins to flow and brings up acid levels in the body.
Since unexpressed anger and resentment in particular do not have emotional outlets, the body instead manifests these through illness. So, if you have chronic respiratory allergy or back pain, for example, your physical condition may not only be the issue.
On the bright side, though, people with illnesses who release their negative emotions in healthy ways find that their symptoms disappear almost instantly.
So what to do if you are unhappy or experiencing negative emotions in general? Following these tips may help:
Release anger in healthy ways. If you need to scream, scream. But do it privately. Screaming into a pillow is advisable especially when there are people outside the room.
You can also write a letter to the person who hurt you. Release all your anger in it. Afterwards, tear up or burn the letter. Do not send it to the person. Talk to the person only once you are calm and can express your feelings in a constructive manner.
Forgive. As the saying goes, “Unforgiveness is like drinking a poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Once you forgive, you will feel lighter, as though you have just been unburdened of a heavy load. 
Understand that you have no control over everything. Control only what you can, and leave the rest to the universe. Trust that everything will work out for the best.
Be grateful for the things you have now. Make it a point to think of at least one thing you are grateful for everyday. This will put you in a positive frame of mind and bring good or better things to you.
Do positive self-talk. Understanding that good food nourishes the body, feed your mind with positive thoughts. Do this everyday, believe, and be amazed with the results.
Surround yourself with positive people. Talk with people who believe in you and encourage you. Minimize contact with people who make you feel negative or deplete your energy.
Get counseling if necessary. Should you have serious emotional issues, especially those stemming from childhood, it may be best to seek professional counseling to facilitate healing.