Health and satisfaction are interconnected. Are you satisfied with your life? It is a good thing to be satisfied with your life. Obvious as it may be, our satisfaction in life impacts our health in ways that directly and indirectly affect us. The satisfaction in our live is based on the roles that we play from day to day; it spells out contentment with what we have in possession at this time.

Are you a happy person? How do you achieve happiness? The field of positive psychology has developed a “formula” over the years has generated noteworthy responses to these important questions. A study with more than 4000 participants was made by Doctors Nansook Park, Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman which revealed that there are five significant factors that are closely and constantly linked to the satisfactions that we experience in life and these are: positive thinking, gratefulness, enthusiasm, curiosity and the ability to loved and be loved as well. Do you notice something missing from the list above? Do you think that more factors are more important to you than the ones that are mentioned? What about wealth and beauty? Having lots of money can never satisfy a person for long. For a time maybe, yes but in the long run? Beauty? Physical beauty dies with time and with age. What matters is the beauty that you possess inside. Your inner beauty which reflects all of the factors mentioned above. If you have noticed, all the factors included in the list are aspects that are within our control.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development has conducted studies with more than 800 men and women since the 1930s following them from their youth until the late adulthood years. Strong social relationships was found to be the most important characteristic that allows a person to achieve and long and contented life.  Happiness and longevity for most people can be described by spending quality time with significant others, participating actively in social events as well as gatherings in the local community, going out and having fun at the clubs and other bar outlets.

This is a more accurate basis of longevity than comparing it with that of our parents, childhood memories or the stressful life events. Making time for the persons we love is very important. We never know when will be the end for us. A few weeks ago, my cousin who went to work abroad died after just two weeks of arriving there due to a car accident which killed both him and the driver, leaving their other companion comatose. Live life to the fullest and be the best that you can be from everyone knowing that you will be increasing your life’s own quality and in the high hopes that you are doing so for others too.

So take time to appreciate the things that are around you. What are the things that you are grateful for? What things make you think of positive things and make you feel optimistic? Yes there is reason to be pessimistic and concerned at times, but there is reason to be optimistic too. Drinking and drugs do not get you out of your hell-hole; they just bury you deeper in it. Discover your meaning and purpose in life in more responsible and meaningful ways such as the things that you passionately care about, something that keeps the adrenaline rushing. What are you curious about now? I am sure there are a lot of things that you do not understand but would want to understand better. There are lots of outlets for doing so now such as talking to a friend or someone you are close to, going to the library and do some research, surf the internet or contact other sources who are knowledgeable about the subject matter. Do you tell your family and loved ones how much you care about them? Do they even know that you do? How do you make them feel that you do?

These activities should be practiced daily in your life. Little by little you will begin to discover wonderful changes in your life’s level of satisfaction, health and above all else, happiness.