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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Happiness wards off heart disease | Happiness wards off heart disease |
| (6 days later) | |
| Being happy and staying positive may help ward off heart disease, a study suggests. | Being happy and staying positive may help ward off heart disease, a study suggests. |
| US researchers monitored the health of 1,700 people over 10 years, finding the most anxious and depressed were at the highest risk of the disease. | US researchers monitored the health of 1,700 people over 10 years, finding the most anxious and depressed were at the highest risk of the disease. |
| They could not categorically prove happiness was protective, but said people should try to enjoy themselves. | They could not categorically prove happiness was protective, but said people should try to enjoy themselves. |
| But experts suggested the findings may be of limited use as an individual's approach to life was often ingrained. | But experts suggested the findings may be of limited use as an individual's approach to life was often ingrained. |
| At the start of the study, which was published in the European Heart Journal, participants were assessed for emotions ranging from hostility and anxiousness to joy, enthusiasm and contentment. | At the start of the study, which was published in the European Heart Journal, participants were assessed for emotions ranging from hostility and anxiousness to joy, enthusiasm and contentment. |
| They were given a rating on a five-point scale to score their level of positive emotions. | They were given a rating on a five-point scale to score their level of positive emotions. |
| By the end of the analysis, some 145 had developed heart disease - fewer than one in 10. | By the end of the analysis, some 145 had developed heart disease - fewer than one in 10. |
| But for each rise in the happiness scale there was a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease. | But for each rise in the happiness scale there was a 22% lower risk of developing heart disease. |
| Essentially spending a few minutes each day truly relaxed and enjoying yourself is certainly good for your mental health and may improve your physical health as well Dr Karina Davidson | Essentially spending a few minutes each day truly relaxed and enjoying yourself is certainly good for your mental health and may improve your physical health as well Dr Karina Davidson |
| The team believes happier people may have better sleeping patterns, be less liable to suffer stress and be more able to move on from upsetting experiences - all of which can reduce physical strain on the body. | |
| Lead researcher Dr Karina Davidson admitted more research was needed into the link, but said she would still recommend that people try to develop a more positive outlook. | Lead researcher Dr Karina Davidson admitted more research was needed into the link, but said she would still recommend that people try to develop a more positive outlook. |
| She said all too often people just waited for their "two weeks of vacation to have fun" when instead they should seek enjoyment each day. | She said all too often people just waited for their "two weeks of vacation to have fun" when instead they should seek enjoyment each day. |
| "If you enjoy reading novels, but never get around to it, commit to getting 15 minutes or so of reading in. | "If you enjoy reading novels, but never get around to it, commit to getting 15 minutes or so of reading in. |
| "If walking or listening to music improves you mood, get those activities in your schedule. | "If walking or listening to music improves you mood, get those activities in your schedule. |
| "Essentially spending a few minutes each day truly relaxed and enjoying yourself is certainly good for your mental health and may improve your physical health as well." | "Essentially spending a few minutes each day truly relaxed and enjoying yourself is certainly good for your mental health and may improve your physical health as well." |
| It is not the first study to suggest there is a link between happiness and health. | It is not the first study to suggest there is a link between happiness and health. |
| But Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, suggested such an association may be of limited value anyway. | But Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, suggested such an association may be of limited value anyway. |
| "We know that improving your mood isn't always easy - so we don't know if it's possible to change our natural levels of positivity." | "We know that improving your mood isn't always easy - so we don't know if it's possible to change our natural levels of positivity." |
| Cardiologist Iain Simpson, of the British Cardiovascular Society, added: "Things like reducing cholesterol and diabetes are more important when it comes to reducing heart disease. | Cardiologist Iain Simpson, of the British Cardiovascular Society, added: "Things like reducing cholesterol and diabetes are more important when it comes to reducing heart disease. |
| "But at the end of the day it heart disease is still the biggest killer in the UK so anything you can do to help should not be ignored." | "But at the end of the day it heart disease is still the biggest killer in the UK so anything you can do to help should not be ignored." |