Monday, July 17, 2017

Happiness Can Affect Physical Health #Science #Health #Psychology

Disclaimer:  in the context of shallow science, this ranks with the Sahara Desert.  It's presented this because I've seen consistently high quality reports from Science Daily ... but sometimes they fluff it.



Happy people. Happiness can affect health.

Credit: © javiindy / Fotolia


A new review indicates that subjective well-being -- factors such as life satisfaction and enjoyment of life -- can influence physical health. The review's investigators also examine why this is so and conditions where it is most likely to occur.

Subjective well-being may exert its effects on physical health through health behaviors, as well as through the immune and cardiovascular systems. Although scientists still are exploring and debating when happiness most affects health, there is no doubt that it can do so.

Science Daily:  Happiness can affect physical health

There is no doubt.  Well, we love that one, don't we.  We particularly love it without a shred of evidence in citations to support the premise.


With more research, it may one day be informative for clinicians to monitor individuals' subjective well-being just as other factors are currently assessed. Individuals should also take responsibility for their health by developing happy mental habits.

"We now have to take very seriously the finding that happy people are healthier and live longer, and that chronic unhappiness can be a true health threat.

- SD

What fucking research?  I didn't skip anything and there's nothing intervening in the source article.  So far, there's zero science reported.


What do you know.  He's selling a book.

People's feelings of well-being join other known factors for health, such as not smoking and getting exercise," said Prof. Ed Diener, co-author of the Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being article. "Scores of studies show that our levels of happiness versus stress and depression can influence our cardiovascular health, our immune system strength to fight off diseases, and our ability to heal from injuries."

- SD

Now isn't that precious.


That was the entire article so the interested student is advised to shop elsewhere.  Even when they open this store, there still won't be anything in it.  Besides, you can catch up later with Doctor Oz and also Oprah's Book Club.


Note:  the Rockhouse does accept the truth of the general concept but this is one of the sorriest cases for presenting it I've ever seen.


That ending wasn't sufficient and there is a follow-up article which makes the Rockhouse pitch about happiness.  (Ithaka:  Happiness Becomes Unattainable When People Forget What it Means)

Note:  it may not have the immediate look but the follow-up radiates moonbeams.

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