Want to Lose Weight? Be Happy

According to research by the University of Adelaide, increasing personal happiness can lead to weight loss. Researchers noted that participants who were obese were more likely to be depressed.

It’s true that when you are happy, you tend to make positive decisions related to your health. These include eating healthy foods, more physical exercises, proper sleep, etc. Read on to learn more about the connection between happiness and weight loss.

How Exactly Happiness Affects Weight Loss?

When you are stressed (no matter the reason), certain chemical processes in your body get affected. This can lead to making unhealthy decisions, such as eating high carb foods. In fact, stress eating (emotional eating) can play a vital role in putting those extra calories. It involves eating foods to deal with stressful situations.

According to a study published in 2007, British researchers found that individuals who responded to stress (high levels of cortisol) were more likely to eat snacks to deal with daily hassles than those with low cortisol levels.

Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, etc. can affect the brain chemical associated with mood, memory, appetite, sleep, etc. In other words, high levels of depression and anxiety can make you skip meals and exercises, thus resulting in weight gain.

One of the most effective ways to lose weight is to promote happiness and pleasure. Participate in the activities that make you happy, and note the difference. Remember, when you cultivate your hobbies, have more time to engage in activities that bring happiness to your life, you are less likely to turn to food for comfort.

Studies have found that positive changes in mood can increase the levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for happiness, feelings of well-being, etc. Additionally, it acts as a natural appetite suppressant, thus decreasing food cravings and making you feel full. So, boosting serotonin levels can help you reduce calorie intake and lose weight.

Daily Habits to Promote Happiness

Smile

When you smile, the body releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that’s also called the “happy hormone.” Studies show that smiling more often can help you increase positive thoughts and fight with stressful situations more effectively. So, try smiling even after having a bad day.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep is good for brain function and emotional health. After having a good night’s sleep, you are more likely to focus on your work. Lack of sleep can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, bipolar disorder, etc.

So, how many hours should you sleep in a day? Well, it depends on your age. The Sleep Foundation says that adults aged 26-64 years need 7-9 hours of sleep in a day.

Exercise Regularly

Reduced physical activity can lead to boredom, stress, and increased food intake. So, it’s necessary to take out some time for exercise, which can help you promote both physical and mental wellness.

Research says that simply walking and jogging can bring positive results. However, you can choose any physical activity that boosts your mood and reduces stress. These include dancing, hiking, playing tennis, softball, etc.

Be Grateful

Being grateful and counting your blessings can help you with emotional benefits. Start your day with an activity that makes you happy. You can do that while brushing your teeth or eating breakfast.

It’s good to keep noticing pleasant things that happen around you. Thus, by doing a little effort, you can bring positive emotions, happiness, and pleasure to your life.

Key Takeaways

Being happy and boosting your mental health can help you lose weight. Individuals who are stressed are more likely to obese than those with low cortisol levels. Bringing positive changes in mood can help increase the levels of various brain chemicals.

There are various healthy habits to help you promote happiness. Exercising boosts mood while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Science says that when you exercise, the body releases dopamine and endorphins. Smiling, getting enough sleep, and being grateful can also help improve brain function and emotional well-being.

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