Being Happy is Good for Your Health
Being Happy is Good for Your Health
By Mike Cooper
There have been several studies showing that being happy is good for your health. There is a connection between being happy and optimistic, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Happy, optimistic people tend to maintain good habits as well – exercising, eating healthy, and getting a good night’s sleep. These things help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Want to be as happy as this member? Here are 5 tips:
- Be Optimistic. You can be a ‘glass-is-half-empty’ or ‘glass-is-half-full’ kind of person. Choose half-full. It doesn’t cost anything! Try to look on the bright side, even when the negative might overshadow it.
Breathe. Not just breathing to live, but deep, controlled breaths. Meditating for even 5 minutes a day can help you focus and put you at ease. There are a variety of classes and YouTube videos that can teach you the right way to meditate.- Do Something Nice Each Day. It could be for you or for someone else. The act of doing something nice will give you a positive mental boost and will turn that frown upside-down! Sometimes when I have done something nice I hear, “You have done your good deed for the day.” I reply, “There is no daily limit on good deeds.”
- Get Some Sunlight. Sometimes that is easier said than done in these Chicago winters, but there are plenty of days when the sun is shining. Open the blinds and let the sun in. If you work in an office space with no windows, try to get out and enjoy the sun for even a few minutes – even if you have to sit in your car if it is cold outside. Here at Naperville Senior Center we have several windows to bring in natural light. We think it makes a difference when people can see a beautiful day!
- Accept Yourself as You Are. Is your nose too big, your hair too curly (or straight), or you wish you could drop those last few pounds? Don’t beat yourself up over it; accept yourself as you are right now. That doesn’t mean you should avoid self-improvement, but take it in stride. Being critical of yourself will take away all the positive things you do for others.
At Naperville Senior Center we strive to bring happiness each day to our Members. We want them to enjoy their time with us through socialization, activities, games and puzzles, exercise and even breaking bread together. We are thrilled when we hear them say they look forward to coming each day; we know we are succeeding!
Call to action: to learn more about how NSC can provide a respite for you and a great social environment for your loved one, contact our Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Theresa, at 630.857.3017. You can also schedule a tour to see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.”
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Tour our adult day services facility.
Observe some fun activities. Join us for lunch. Learn more at our Senior Adult Day Care center FREE TRIAL
Receive Peace of Mind.
*** No obligation! ***
Learn more about Naperville Senior Citizen services and upcoming events.
Can you believe it was just one year ago, on St. Patrick’s Day 2015, when we had our first ribbon cutting after opening our doors on February 25? We have had many successes since then! We are excited to have our 1st Anniversary Party and Business After Hours again on St. Patrick’s Day 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm!
Our charter Member, Charlene, started with us the week after we opened. We love having her here; she continues to brighten our days with every visit!
We hosted a mini Walk for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society in June, and raised over $2,400 to fight cancer. We want to be sure our Members continue to exercise – and being able to do it for an important cause was a great motivator!
We provided fun activities for our Members including planting a garden (and then enjoying the fruits and vegetables of their labor), dressing up on Talk Like a Pirate Day, and having children come by before Halloween to get treats and play games with our Members.
We have hosted several Continuing Education (CEU) Workshops after hours for nurses, therapists and social workers. We are happy to provide this amazing venue for the community when they need to come together to gather and learn. Do you need a space to hold your workshop? Give Mike a call at 630-857-3017.
We hosted our 1st Annual Fall Craft and Vendor Fair in November. Thank you to all 23 vendors who joined us for a wonderful event. Our Members were even involved in making most of our crafts that were sold that day.
We hosted our own ‘Oscar’s Day Awards’ with our Members just before the Academy Awards! Our competition was fierce, but we outstanding performances!
Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. He is the only president to have founded an institution of higher learning.
former president to serve as the head of two branches of government and later swore in two other presidents.
As the song goes, “Love is in the air, in the whisper of the trees. Love is in the air, in the thunder of the sea.” As we close in on Valentine’s Day this Sunday, there are many things pink and red in stores, on television and in ads. Retailers want you to believe that your loved one will love you more with a card, candy, jewelry, or dinner out.
There is a lot of hoopla surrounding the Big Game this Sunday. It’s the 50th Super Bowl; it’s the biggest age difference between opposing quarterbacks in the Big Game; and it could very well be the last game of a future hall-of-fame quarterback.