Day 269 – Happy Mondays no.2

Posted by Life with Lizzi on September 28, 2011 · 2 Comments 

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Relating

People with strong and broad social relationships are happier, healthier and live longer. Close relationships with family and friends provide love, meaning, support and increase our feelings of self worth. Broader networks bring a sense of belonging. So taking action to strengthen our relationships and build connections is essential for happiness.

via Action for Happiness.

So did you do something last week to spread a little happiness?  If I look at the list, I spent some time with my neighbours (sunday), hugged my Hubbie (saturday was a memorable hug!), and baked super-size chocolate cookies with my kids!

This week it’s the turn of ‘relating’ (to people)….

Our connections with other people are at the heart of happiness – theirs and ours. Whether these connections are with our partners, families, friends, work colleagues, neighbours or people in our broader communities, they all contribute to our happiness.  It’s true “Other people matter”.

Scholars and scientists agree about the central importance of relationships for our wellbeing and our happiness. And many studies have shown that both the quality and quantity of social connections have an impact on our health and longevity as well as psychological wellbeing.

Not having close personal ties poses the same level of health risk as smoking or obesity (interesting!). Having a network of social connections or high levels of social support appears to increase our immunity to infection, lower our risk of heart disease and reduce mental decline as we get older.  What other reasons do you need for not getting out there and making and maintaining your relationships and friendships!!

So this week, make time for catching up with friends, phoning family, and may’be try to get to know someone on the edge of your circle, a little bit better…..

and may’be remind the family that

!!!!!

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You can read more on this whole action on……

Action for Happiness.

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Related articles (which I promise are not ‘happy clappy’ but quite inspiring to read and get you going!)

• Day 241 – Monday Morning Mantra – 5-a-day for a healthy mind « Life with Lizzi.
• Day 262 – Happy Mondays!.
• Happy Monday! (neianeia.wordpress.com)
• ‘Shaun Ryder in the Happy Mondays wasn’t me. He was a caricature’ (guardian.co.uk)

 

and Thanks to charlie-brown-cartoon-pictures-pictures-267.jpg (JPEG Image, 1024×768 pixels) – Scaled (90%). for the great image!!  After all, when other relationships suck, you can always rely on man’s best friend!!

 

Filed under Family Life, Love Life · Tagged with Family, Happiness, Happy Monday, Health, Mondays, postaday2011, Relating to people