Happiness Is Its Own Reward

Happiness is, by definition, a state of feeling good emotionally. Most of us simply enjoy positive emotion and high spirits for their own sake, but consistent happiness carries many other benefits with it as well. Good health, productivity and self-confidence often come easier for those who keep their sunny side up. But for those curmudgeons who need a little persuasion to work on their attitude, here are seven reasons why it pays to keep your chin up:

1) Happiness is thrilling. Happiness is exciting and makes you glad to be alive. Many people also find it thrilling to realize that they can, to a large degree, control their attitudes and prevent attacks of the blues. look for happiness in your everyday environment and learn to savor it.

2) Your mood can brighten the spirits of those around you. One person’s attitude often spreads quickly to others, so your high spirits may help brighten someone else’s day. The next time you’re tempted to nurse your bad mood, remember that you might bring down those around you.

3) Your self-confidence soars. It’s difficult to feel really happy without feeling better about yourself – often your confidence rises in direct proportion to your spirits. Happiness and self-confidence help perpetuate one another- and help you continue to overcome the obstacles that prevent you from enjoying more of both.

4) Your interpersonal relations improve. Positive people commonly enjoy happier and more fulfilling inter-personal relationships. Most of us enjoy being around upbeat people and value them highly for the positive atmosphere they project. Help strengthen your own relationships by making yourself pleasant and fun to be around.

5) Your performance improves. Happiness usually boosts motivation, which in turn increases productivity. Experts report that attitude, along with talent and practice, is one of the most important keys to high productivity. Best-selling author Charles Swindoll claims that our attitudes are 85 percent responsible for our success or failure in life.

6) Your income and material rewards may increase. Though you might not find true happiness if you expect it to increase your income or material possessions, these things are often the bonuses of a great attitude. If your happiness increases your productivity on the job, you may be offered a bonus or raise. Thoughtful friends who appreciate you may be extra careful to remember your special occasions and may return the happiness you share with others with a gift.

7) Happiness may prevent stress-related or mental illness. Most of us know that stress and depression can affect health, but many people are also convinced that their attitudes can cure them of a variety of serious illnesses. An upbeat attitude strengthens the body’s immune system and releases endorphins that produce a natural high. To help preserve your physical and mental health, cultivate and preserve a positive attitude. Some people are naturally happier than others, but we can control our outlook on life more effectively than many of us think we can. You can be as happy as you decide to be, so for your own sake take charge of your attitude. Your happiness – and to a large degree your future – lie within your control.