Happiness and Health: The Link is Strong
Mar. 25, 2008 by Lisa Currie
From Her Active Life…
Stress and anxiety seem to be an all too common part of life – we take them for granted. Periods of depression are usually viewed as normal: “Everybody gets depressed from time to time”. All too often, we ignore our own happiness, assuming that we’re supposed to handle whatever comes our way. Research has proven that unhappiness has a negative impact on health. Unfortunately, it seems that modern life has placed great emphasis on quantity rather than quality.
Our current state of affairs does little to promote true happiness. We face constant demands in terms of job stress and financial responsibility, and seem driven toward productivity. One recent health study found that stress has a delayed impact on cardiovascular health, while another found a link between depression and the formation of atherosclerosis. According to statistics, the incidence of cardiovascular disease increased by 53% following 9/11, in a group of online study participants.
Wesleyan students who wish to talk to someone about their emotional health may wish to contact the Office of Behavioral Health for Students at 860.685.2910.