Gratitude... can you commit to it?

Religions and philosophy have focused on tonight’s happiness topic. The Happiness Matters technique of GRATITUDE has been viewed as one of the most important component of health, well-being and inner serenity—but also one of the most forgotten virtues.

Tell us a little about Research related to gratitude and it it effects our physical and emotional well-being.
• The findings from the University of California’s Research Project on Gratitude has some startling statistics.
• Those who keep a simple gratitude journal on a weekly basis tend to exercise more, have fewer physical problems and are more optimistic about life
• People who keep gratitude journals or lists tend to have a greater achievement level on their own personal goals whether academic, work related, interpersonal or health based
• Those who participate in a 21-day gratitude plan noted a higher rate of positive mood, a greater sense of closeness to others, became more optimistic, had better and deeper sleep patterns.
• Those who practice gratitude journaling have higher rates of life satisfaction, vitality and lower levels of depression.
• Children who practice gratitude thinking and practice have been shown to be more positive in their attitudes about school and their family.

So what is our Happiness Matters assignment for this week?
• Count your blessings. Experiencing and expressing gratitude has been shown to raise your happiness quotient. If you see goodness around you it is proven that you will see your life in a happier and healthier fashion. Goal: Commit to reflect daily on 5 things for which you are grateful. So for one week we are asking you to keep a daily list of 5 things that you are grateful for and start your own happiness journal. Then we’d love to hear your response to this assignment. Just go to my blog and tell us a little about how these assignments are changing your life.--- because your happiness matters and we can change your life for the better.

Getting older or getting better?

Getting older doesn’t have to mean that you aren’t getting better. Tonight we are going to look at a couple of recent studies and see what helps middle age American’s thrive and survive.

Tell us about the first study related to middle aged Americans.
• 5000 adults were studied for 20 years and British study showed that middle- aged people could age you by a dozen years by missing 4 key elements.
• The habits that were essential to living longer were simple things: not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, exercise and healthy diet
• The study results suggested that those who don’t smoke or have quit; men who have fewer than 3 drinks & less than 2 for women; those who ate 3 fruits and vegetables, and those who exercised 2 hours a week lived longer

What else did we learn from this study?
• It is the simple things that really can make a difference
• We talk about these elements in many of our segments, but we have to make the commitment to these tenets if we want to live longer and healthier

You had mentioned another study, will you tell us about the results of that study.
• A University of Montreal, April 2010 study showed that baby boomers (those born from 1946-1964) are among the most self-reliant generation
• Boomers can retiring healthy, wealthy and have a desire to travel in their golden years
• Boomers are seen as those who will change our health care system utilizing private nurses to live independently if ill, and have made life-long plans to live their golden years and plan to stay self-reliant, not expecting their children to care for them.
• Clearly these two studies show we can effect our future with some common healthy options and creating a plan for self-security.