According to a study by the European Society of Cardiology people who are typically usually happy, enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease than those who are not. This study published in the European Heart Journal is the first to show such a independent relationship between positive emotions and coronary heart disease. Another study in 1995 called the Nova Scotia Health Survey conducted over 10 years with 1739 healthy adults found that participants risk of heart disease dropped if they felt joy, happiness, excitement, enthusiasm and contentment. It was noted that occasionally a primarily happy person can feel periods of negativity due to external stressors and discontent and still be primarily considered a happy person. Despite occasional negativity these people still had less incidence of heart disease. This study found that people with no positive feelings that tended towards anger, pessimism and negativity had a 22% higher chance of having a heart attack or angina than the positive group.

     Although it may be early to think that perhaps some therapies to improve mood and attitude could be in order. However people with a positive mental attitude have less neurological response to stress such as increased heart rate, tense muscles, insomnia and stress overall. These things in themselves cause health concerns.

     What can you do for yourself? Practice meditation, take up a hobby that you love, do something that makes you feel good, volunteer in your community, chat with friends, seek counseling, exercise, meditate, go to a show, museum, read a book or stimulate your mind in a god way. Steer clear of negative people in your life. You cannot fly with the eagles when you are scratching with the turkeys! journal your feelings to problem solve. Journaling can help you to recognize your stressors so your can deal with them effectively. Love yourself and love your heart....