The Category of Prioritized Happiness

So since I hadn't gotten any topical inspirations yet today, most likely due to my mental exhaustion, I will quickly share an opinion I have about life. Specifically, it involves the inclusion of happiness in one's life, and how this should be included in life goals. I seem to come across people (mostly young people, but that's just who I hang around with) who don't really have a positive view of life, or don't feel that, overall, they are very happy.

I suppose this ties into my last post about making the most of holidays, but this is not telling people to go "get" happiness, because I know that is easier to say than to do. What I am really getting at is the need to at least make your own happiness a priority. In 1935, Hans Selye discovered a new medical condition, that until that time was present in an incredible amount of patients, but was unidentified. This awful affliction would lower an immune system, and reduced a patient's liklihood of recovery, in some situations. This discovery, is the medical community's discovery of stress.

Stress is real, and if not combatted, actually causes a problem to health. More and more studies are showing how stress reduces life expectancy, and will take years away from you. Now this isn't smoking, where you'll get cancer or something, this is just, you have too much strain and you get worn out. I can't imagine a single affliction that the treatment of is more pleasureable! It is actually much more important that happiness be included in daily life, otherwise you risk damaging health, relationships, and mental function.

When I am unhappy, I generally know it. Often times those close to me know it too, and will point it out. It is in these times that I am most likely to put off, even just for a little while, other important things I must do in order to restore my happiness. Some people will say, "That is not efficient! You need to get the important things done first! You have responsibilities!" What I am saying is that your own happiness IS your responsibility. Happiness is important. No one would criticize you for doing something a doctor says you really should, or for eating a healthy meal as opposed to a big fat juicy heart attack; happiness, in my mind, is the same. If your life is not full of happiness, maybe you need to re-evaluate some of your goals for success and health, and really re-evaluate the action plans you have about achieving your goals. Wouldn't it be better to get to where your going, having loved every moment possible?

When the chips are down, happiness is crucial. Making it important is really, in the long run, a survival tactic. See where this is going? What's the point in survivng the zombie apocolypse if you aren't going to maintain your humanity, and try to have a little fun whenever possible??