2024-02-12 05:00:00
According to research, only 10% of our happiness is related to external events. Of the remaining percentage, 50% would be given by our genetic conditions and 40% depends on the activities we can carry out to achieve well-being (Illustrative image Infobae)
Blue Zones are regions of the world where a large percentage of the population is centenarian; there, people exceed the life expectancy of the rest of the world by decades. They are corners of the planet where you can find octogenarians, nonagenarians and many centenarians, and even some supercentenarians (people who have reached the age of 110) who are in good health.
The rates of coronary heart disease, cancer and senile dementia in the Blue Zones are significantly lower than those in the rest of the world. The curious thing is that these areas are not only disease-free, but their inhabitants have better rates of mental well-being and happiness.
According to the studies of Dan Buettner, longevity investigative journalist, producer, member of National Geographic, author of books, including the one that gave rise to the series “Living 100 years: the secret of the Blue Zones”, the happiness of the inhabitants of these places arises from a set of interconnected factors that is presented as a “package”, a healthy lifestyle to follow that leads to a happy life.
But what is happiness? “Happiness is a feeling of satisfaction, more or less lasting, that is subjectively experienced by a person, and only them, in their inner life; This subjective component individualizes happiness among people,” described to Infobae Itziar Jiménez Sevilla, general health psychologist at Instituto Psicológico Cláritas, graduate in Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid, master in General Health Psychology from the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid.
In the Blue Zones the rates of coronary heart disease, cancer and senile dementia are significantly lower than those in the rest of the world. Its inhabitants also have better levels of mental well-being (Getty)
And he added: “People carry out an evaluative process in which affective and cognitive elements intervene. This can explain why two people, faced with the same life situation, can experience it very differently: one from unhappiness and the other from the highest degrees of happiness. Happiness is a “state”; It is not a “trait” or characteristic of people; which causes it to enjoy temporary stability, it can be lasting, but it can also be lost.”
Dan Buettner says in one of his articles for CNBC News: “While researching my book, I spoke with Dan Witters, who has been research director of the Gallup National Health and Well-being Index since 2008, in an effort to discover the distinctive characteristics of these communities. Witters told me that authentic happiness arises from a set of interconnected factors, among which he identified fifteen.
What are the Blue Zones that know the secrets of happiness? This is Loma Linda, in California; the Nicoya peninsula, in Costa Rica; Vilcabamba, in Ecuador; Sardinia, in Italy; Caucasia, in Georgia (in the former Soviet Union); Hunza in Pakistan and the Okinawa Peninsula in Japan.
Buettner listed 15 strategies that the inhabitants of the Blue Zones share, and that make us happier than most people:
Happiness is a feeling of satisfaction, more or less lasting, that is subjectively experienced by a person, and only them, in their inner life (Illustrative image Infobae)
Having meaning in life and a passion is essential to being happy (Illustrative image Infobae)
Given that in 2020, according to a investigation published in The Lancet, there was a global increase in depression and anxiety by 27.6% and 25.6% respectively, mental health experts warn the importance of “taking charge of your mental health and knowing what “Blue Zones can teach.”
According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, a prominent researcher who graduated from Harvard University and has a PhD from Stanford University, everyone in the world puts happiness at the top of their list when asked what they want most in life.
However, the expert said, we tend to look for happiness in the wrong places, since what we believe will really make a big difference in our lives only makes a small difference, while we overlook the true sources of happiness and well-being. .
In her book “The Science of Happiness, a Proven Method to Achieve Well-Being,” the researcher stated that happiness is not related to a stroke of luck, such as winning a prize in the lottery, getting a raise or finding a partner. the couple we were looking for.
Nor is it related to the accumulation of material goods, professional achievements or pleasant experiences, nor is it the result of chance. According to research, only 10% of happiness is related to external events.
The happiest people are able to forgive themselves and others, which allows them not to get stuck in pain and to be able to move forward (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Of the remaining percentage, 50% would be given by our genetic conditions and, this is the good news: 40% depends on the activities that we can carry out intentionally, that is, happiness is in our hands.
How to build happiness? Dr. Graciela Moreschi, doctor, psychiatrist and writer, told Infobae that one of the main characteristics of happy people is being grateful. “He who is grateful is the one who connects with what he has, not with what he lacks. This is important. Afterwards, people who are playful, who like to play, and who see obstacles as challenges also enjoy greater happiness.”
And he added: “On the other hand, people who have social contact, but that is not confused with ‘being sociable’. There are introverted people, who do not like social things, but they have emotional contacts and are also happy. Finally, people who have something to live for. This is very important: a passion and a meaning. People who give meaning to what they do have a key to being happy.”
On the other hand, according to psychologist Itziar Jiménez Sevilla, these are the main characteristics of happy people:
Loving yourself is important to be happy. This will help you face the challenges that may arise every day (Illustrative image Infobae)
- They have a good assessment of themselves.
- They allow themselves to make mistakes. They are self-pitying.
- They know and accept their limits, not wasting energy on aspects of life that they cannot control.
- They are able to forgive themselves and others, which allows them not to get stuck in pain and to move forward.
- They are grateful to themselves and to others.
- They surround themselves with people who contribute to them personally.
- Realistic objectives are set.
- They invest an important part of their time in doing things they like.
- They are more connected to their present.
- They take responsibility for their own lives. They do not blame others for their problems.
Doing things that we like, turning time into something worth living for is one of the ingredients of happiness and well-being (Illustrative image Infobae)
- They follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as a healthy diet, exercising…
- They have a great sense of humor
Psychologist Jiménez Sevilla expressed that the environment and community in which one lives is also relevant to the degree of well-being perceived in life.
“If we collect what these Blue Zones have in common, whose inhabitants have high levels of mental well-being, we can deduce that they are environments that offer a varied and nutritious diet; a place where you can do physical activity daily; a space with low stress levels; contact with nature and the feeling of belonging to a community. All these elements will favor the enjoyment of a greater degree of happiness in its inhabitants.”
The psychologist Jiménez Sevilla recommended the following:
- Love yourself, as if you were our best friend. This will help you face the challenges that may arise every day.
Focusing on the present and enjoying each moment in its entirety with passion is key to being happy (Illustrative image Infobae)
- Treat yourself with affection, which implies self-compassion.
- Relating to other people, treating them with affection, compassion and respect.
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude towards yourself and others.
- Surround yourself with people who share our values and who can contribute positive values.
- Set goals and reasons to live, giving meaning to our lives. These goals have to be realistic, because otherwise they can become a major source of frustration and deep unhappiness.
- Even if we have goals, focus on the present and enjoy each moment in its entirety. To set realistic goals, it is essential to live in the present.
- Doing things we like, turning time into something worth living for.
Contact with nature and living in a safe environment with social contact are key elements that make for happiness (Illustrative image Infobae)
- Recognize and accept our limits. Do not waste time and energy in situations that are not under our control.
- Be proactive with ourselves, assume control and conscious responsibility for our own lives, working to achieve realistic goals.
- Analyze life situations realistically, assuming our share of responsibility when we have it. Do not blame others for our problems, which can help increase an internal locus of control, avoiding feelings of helplessness, increasing the perception of greater control over our own life, positively valuing our effort, ability and personal responsibility.
Having a sense of humor is a good way to overcome obstacles and live with greater mental well-being (Illustrative Image Infobae)
- Look for situations that make us laugh. Humor releases serotonin and endorphins, neurochemicals related to happiness.
- Recognize when we feel envy or jealousy towards someone, trying to identify the origin of that emotion, avoid dwelling on the discomfort and thus give it meaning, turning it into an opportunity to grow.
- Forgive ourselves and others for mistakes made. Don’t stay stuck in resentment. It is important to understand that making mistakes is part of life.
1707715644
#strategies #shared #happiest #people #world