h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I saw a special on TV that studied a huge group of people over 100 years. They were all fantastically different, some were health nuts, some ate 3 eggs, 8 sausage links and 10 butter-filled pancakes for breakfast and washed it all down with some grease. Some smoked, some didn't, some were single, others had lost spouses 30 years before. Some were heavy, others thin.

The only thing they found with every single one was that they were people who others described as extremely happy, content, and kind. It appeared that it was the ability to find joy in life that made the difference.

When you think about it, it makes sense. Heart attacks and other deadly diseases are caused by stress on the heart, brain, arteries or other parts of the body. Abnormalities create cancers. If you are relaxed and happy your blood pressure stays lower, your system stays less constricted by tense muscles allowing the body to function at it's best. It's been proven that there are actual physical benifits to petting a cat. Loving something or someone or even yourself is good for you.

I'm sure that just being relaxed doesn't mean that you'll absolutely never have any of these problems, but it sure helps.

I heard on the radio just recently that having faith (they meant Christian faith, but I'm not getting into THAT again! I would suggest any faith in something outside yourself) helps people live longer. No Biblical discussions PLEASE, but any other comments?

I think that faith and joy are two sides of the same coin. Faith in yourself, others and God is something that causes joy to be alive. Joy and happiness and love can cause you to have greater fatih in the spiritual aspects of your life. I think that joy and faith go hand in hand.

Also, wouldn't faith in some sort of higher power/reason/whatever enable you to "sweat the small stuff" a lot less? Going back to that whole contentment/happy factor. Faith in something higher could enable a person to more effectivly let go of the things they can't change.

Less stress.

Well, a few people (my future mother-in-law included) seem to be under the impression that martyrdom is a desireable lifestyle choice. The ability not to sweat the small stuff is something that, I believe, is learned. And I think that people who never learn to do it may be ignoring it deliberately. Of course, I could be very wrong, but I've noticed that people who are unhappy seem to be doing it to themselves a good deal of the time. Everyone is the master of their own destiny (for lack of a better word). That's my opinion, of course. I'm aware that others don't agree with that.

Faith in a higher power gives you a way of letting go of things you can't change, or you feel powerless to change by yourself. I suppose it could give you a scapegoat if things go wrong, too. Not sweating the small stuff ultimately makes you a lot happier, and gives you more time to look after the big stuff. Sometimes you just have to sit back, pray if that's something you do, and let things take whatever course they will. I, personally, believe in the power of prayer, but to each his own.