The Key to Good Health: Sushruta’s Wisdom on How Happiness Affects Your Well-being

Sushruta, the great Indian vaidya was remarkably ahead of his time when it came to human health. Thousands of years ago, much before the advent of modern technologies, Sushruta pioneered many surgeries and techniques. The father of Indian medicine quoted that ‘happiness is the secret to good health’. 

His very definition of health incorporates the concept of happiness as an ingrained part. 

Sushruta defines the features of a healthy person as follows – the doshas must be in equilibrium. The digestive fire must be in a balanced state. The tissues (dhatus) and malas (wastes) must work in a normal state. The sensory and motor organs, mind and atma must be in a pleasant state. Such a person is called a healthy person or Swastha.In toto, Physical , mental and spiritual well being of a person.

After about 5000 years, modern medicine is coming to terms with this definition!

Today, health is a measure of the cumulative factors of happiness, wellness, meaning, purpose, character, relationships, and financial stability. These metrics measure health more broadly than our existing wellness metrics. 

Also Read: Happiness and health connection

Happiness is secret good health. Is that true?

Indeed! 

Scientific evidence suggests that positive emotions can promote longevity and health. 

But happiness is not a momentary escapade from life’s mundanity. It is the experience of emotions like joy, contentment, satisfaction, and purpose that encapsulate true happiness. Real happiness means living life in a stress-free way. 

Research says a positive outlook and relaxation techniques reduce the risk of health problems.

Also Read: How to keep your aging parents engaged, active, happy and healthy?

Happiness promotes a Healthy Lifestyle

After years of research, studies concluded that happiness is the key to a healthy lifestyle. It’s true that being happy can promote a range of healthy lifestyle habits. Happy people are more likely to eat healthily and work out regularly.

A study including 7000 adults examined the link between happiness and health. It concluded that individuals with positive well-being were 33% more likely to be physically active. 

Further, happy people enjoy better sleep habits and reduced stress effects. This is very crucial for enhancing concentration, productivity, and performance. Sleep and stress also play a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy weight.

Happiness is the best immune booster 

Ayurveda says happiness is the best vaccine. A smile can heal the pain that medicines fail to see. Well, modern science also concurs that vaccines respond better in happy people. 

Research says that being happier may help improve your immune system. Happiness can reduce the risk of colds and chest infections. Another research concluded that people who are least happy are three times more likely to develop such infections.

And as I already said, happy people are more likely to exhibit health-promoting activities. Happy people enjoy better digestion and good sleep. All of these play a crucial role in enhancing immunity.

Also Read: How to Find Your Purpose and Live a Happy and Healthy Life?

Happiness is a great stress buster

The best antidote to a stressed life is being happy. Excess stress increases the levels of cortisol in the body. This stress hormone is responsible for most modern ailments. Ranging from disturbed sleep, weight gain, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Many studies demonstrated that cortisol levels tend to be lower in people who are happy. Thus, they enjoy better health and better protection against the diseases caused by stress.

That’s why talking to a friend or watching a comedy video work as great stress busters!

Happiness heals your heart

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death for men and women across the globe. And the best way to keep your heart healthy is being happy. Happiness helps reduce your blood pressure which is a major risk factor for heart disease. 

A study quoted that happiness is linked to a 9% lower risk of high blood pressure. Another remarked that being happy can lower the risk of heart diseases by 13 –26% lower risk of heart disease.

Further, happiness also lowers the risk factors associated with heart disease. It can curb the risk of cholesterol, blood pressure or age-related heart problems. Happiness can also reduce the risk of death in patients with heart diseases by 11%. 

Happiness is the secret to a long healthy life

People who live long and young often carry a smile in their face. They are happy, grateful and enjoy the small thrills of life. Research too supports that being happy can help you live longer.

A study found that the risk of death was 14% higher in unhappy individuals. Another study found that happy people are more likely to have a favourable effect on survival. 

This is mostly because happy people exhibit healthy behaviors. They are more health-conscious and take better care of their health. They engage in physical activity, enjoy good sleep practices and maintain a healthy diet.

Happiness can heal your Pain

This too is scientifically proven. 

People with a jovial mood enjoy faster healing and pain. Many studies found that happiness may reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Happiness may also reduce pain in other conditions.

Another large-scale study concluded that happy individuals experienced 13% lower pain. This is mostly because positive emotions encourage new thoughts and divert the focus from the pain.

Happiness and the cycle of good mental health

Positive emotions are closely connected to the concept of optimism. People who are happy in their life are less likely to act out of negative emotions. They don’t get stressed over the small things.

Happy people also have a better coping mechanism with criticism. Most people tend to react to any kind of criticism that comes their way. But it’s more important to respond than react!

They are also less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or panic disorders!

Also Read: 7 ingredients to a happy marriage

So, what makes people happy?

This is a simple yet big question!

Happiness is a broad concept but the basics are very simple!

It’s not money, success or children that makes a person happy. Neither it’s your youthful skin or good looks that regulates your happiness meter. It is their sense of contentment, accomplishment and purpose in life that makes them happy.

Many people also think that being married or having children is the ultimate key to happiness. This is the thinking that our society has fed us. But this is not the true cause. Many people enjoy a happy and complete life even without bearing kids.

In fact, research shows that having children have very little to contribute to the happiness meter of parents. Thus, happiness is not the pursuit it is being completely present in the present!

Also Read: Your gateway to happiness begins with celebrating the small thrills

You can control your happy meter!

1. Never forget to be grateful.
2. Don’t stop the hustle. Exercise, workout, dance, jump or do some kind of physical activity each day!
3. Never compromise on your good night’s rest. Lack of sleep is a thief of your happiness. 
4. Spend quality time with nature. Be it a walk in the park or going for a forest bath, always spare some time for mother nature.
5. Another way to trigger your happy hormones is meditation. It’s not only a great stress buster but also a happiness booster.
6. Don’t forget to eat healthily. Being healthy also contributes to good health.
7. Practice kindness. It’s very good for the heart. 
8. Journal writing is another key to your happy mood.

There are different ways to find your own happiness. Keep trying and experimenting until you find your happy balance!

Clinicians must know that Happiness is the secret to good health!

Physicians spend too much time monitoring patients with all kinds of machines. But machines cannot speak the language of emotions. Doctors often examine patients for their blood pressure, glucose levels, cancer recurrences, and so on. They often equate the absence of disease to good health.

Public health records too track rates and leading causes of mortality, morbidity, or risk factors.  They take into account factors like tobacco use, obesity or drug overdoses, etc. Such approaches are valuable but they may fall short!

A body free of bodily diseases is not healthy until and unless the mind and spirit are free!

Patients not only care about their test results being within normal limits. They care more about enjoying the one life they got to live. They are more concerned about the meaning and purpose of life!

Thus, I would say to reap the benefits of good health, people must know the concept of happiness. Students must learn it in school. Parents too should emphasize the happiness quotient of their kids more than anything else!

Happiness is the secret to good health!