That’s me in the picture. It was taken maybe a week ago, when Julie and I went to Half Moon Bay. You notice that big smile on my face? That’s because I’m happy. I’m doing something fun with somebody I love. The last few weeks, since we came back from our honeymoon have been great. I feel good, I’m happy and I’m doing well because of it. I’m more productive at work, I’m more at ease with my friends and I’m doing far better with my fitness goals than I thought possible.
I’m not quite sure where this post is headed by the way, I’m typing this as it occurs to me, but it seems like the connection between physical health and emotional health is undeniable. Feeling better in general has led me to feeling better about my body and health. It’s led me to have more motivation for my goals, health related and otherwise. I wonder if this is why married men are on average healthier and tend to live longer. I suppose it could be because we tend to do less stupid things when married but I also believe it’s because we’re happier and happiness is conducive to a healthier life. Happiness means less stress and stress is the thing that kills most of us.
No, I’m not suggesting that you go out and get married, but I am suggesting that fixing your health may also mean fixing your happiness. There are a lot of resources out there to choose from (The Happiness Project, Zen Habits, Equally Happy and a whole lot more) and plenty of people with good advice, but the first step has to be yours. You have to reach out for happiness and make a choice to be happy. It’s important that you do this because I don’t really think you can be physically healthy until you are emotionally healthy. So yes, stop reading this blog for a week and take a vacation from all those weightloss, exercise, fitness and health blogs. Google the words “happiness” and see what you find. In the end, I think you’ll be better off, I know I am
