Love thyself!

Happiness is good for the heart. It thins the blood and cuts the level of the stress hormone cortisol, according to psychologists from the University College of London. They say that the more moments of happiness people experience, the better their health is likely to be. Many studies show that one's mental well-being is associated to physical health. Studies have linked stress to weight gain and diabetes, while depression has been linked to everything from an increased risk of osteoporosis to heart diseases. A cheerful outlook in life therefore may keep you feeling better both physically and mentally. Here are some things to ponder and the first steps to making your life a little happier :-

• You cannot love others unless you love yourself. Once you are happy, you tend to attract happy people around you
• Say 'NO' - sometimes this is hard to do, but we are not superwoman. Be realistic and take on what you can
• Dont let people talk you down. No one can drain your spirit unless you let them do so
• Treat yourself once a week or even once a month to something you enjoy, like a spa treatment, facial or a shopping spree if you can afford it. You deserve it!
• When something bad happens, try to look at the positiveness of it and dont take things to the heart
• Express your feelings and let them out. Bottling them will only cause further stress
• Dont make assumptions and make situations look worse than they actually are. Sometimes, your assumptions may be wrong
• Dont sweat the small stuff. You cant fight or win all battles, let some go
• Do volunteer work, you will learn to appreciate yourself and the less fortunate and the world around you

-info provided by psychologist mount elizabeth-charter behaviouralhealth services, singapura