How's Your Self-Esteem?
If you don't like yourself very much, if you spend a lot of time trying to change yourself from a sow's ear to a silk purse, you will probably suffer with chronic stress. Berating yourself and the decisions you make, always thinking you'd be happier if you had more money, a bigger house, or a better car, emotions like these wear down your mind and body, triggering stress-response chemicals. You're less likely to suffer from chronic stress if you have moderate to high self-esteem. Find out how happy you are with yourself and the world by taking this online happiness test: Click here.
But what if you have been a browbeater, or have felt semi-miserable, all your life? Is it possible to become a cheerful person? Can you actually change the way you perceive yourself? It's not easy, but it can be done. Even if you aren't really feeling happy, sometimes just pretending you are can make a big difference.
Let's say one morning you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. It's raining, the dog vomited on the rug, you can't find your favorite robe and you're grouchy. You look in the mirror and hate what you see. Instead of growling, try something different. Try saying, "It's going to be a terrific day. It's going to be a terrific day," over and over. Studies prove that repeating short, positive phrases actually help trick the mind into being more upbeat and less uptight (even when you're grumpy). And when your mind is relaxed, your body doesn't secrete stress-response chemicals, so you'll enjoy better physical and mental health all around.
Other Tricks To Happiness
Develop a deep, loving relationship. An intimate, secure marriage reduces stress and increases a sense of well-being. - Focus on what you're good at and worry less about what you're not. For example, don't endanger your self-esteem by giving a public speech if you are naturally timid and uncomfortable around crowds.
- Act like an optimist. Wear a happy mask. Many times, just going through the motions of putting on a smile can cheer you up.
- Keep bad events in perspective. So you dented in the fender of your car. Instead of telling yourself how careless you are, remind yourself that you don't have cancer, you have money in the bank, a spouse who loves you, and this fender-bender is just a small, insignificant bump on the road of life.
For more info: - How to be happy: An interview with Dr. David Myers.
- Article on how attitude can improve health, happiness and longevity
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Is a person's happiness level "pre-set"? Article from Mental Health Net. Jacqueline Tresl, RN, has worked as a coronary intensive care nurse and a nursing supervisor for over 20 years. For the past three years, she has written about health and happiness for numerous magazines and newspapers. Her first book, "Whoever Heard of a Horse In The House?" is scheduled for release in March 2000.
The biochemical hormones that link our emotions to our physical responses work both ways. Negative, stress-related emotions cause disease, whereas positive emotions suppress the release of stress hormones and help us fight disease. 
