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Why being happy might help you live longer

There is scientific proof that being happy boosts your immune system.

If you missed out on getting the flu this season it could be because you're happy.

There is scientific proof that being happy boosts your immune system. And you don't have to make major fixes to your life. Finding small amounts of happiness throughout your day and taking time to appreciate them can improve your health.

Here are a few ways happiness is good for your health:

It protects your heart. A 2010 Canadian study found that for every increase in positive emotions the risk for heart disease went down 22 percent. The key is that you need to sustain that level of happiness over at least 10 years.

You have fewer aches and pains. Another study found that when you are happier... even if you live with a condition like arthritis you don't feel as much pain because you have feel good endorphins running through your blood that act like natural pain relief.

And maybe the best part of all happy people live longer. The most famous study linking happiness to longevity centered around catholic nuns and their positive emotions. It showed that the happiest nuns lived 7 to 10 years longer than the least happy nuns.

So, the next time you find yourself complaining stop, take a minute, find the positive in your life and remember that happier people are 35% less likely to die over a five-year period than those who love to complain.

If you want to help spread the happiness on this International Day of Happiness just take a pic of what makes you happy and use the hashtag #HappyActs.

Source CodeGard, MatthewMATT GARDSenior Producer, 13 Morning News1496722038314_wzzm.png 1496722056098_tegna.png | 645 3 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544E-mail: mattgard@wzzm13.com | Newsroom: 616-559-1315 | Cell: 574-300-4296Twitter: @mgard_wzzm13 | wzzm13.com Lenneman, RogerMon 7/3/2017, 11:15 PMGard, MatthewYou forwarded this message on 8/17/2017 7:03 AM

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