Live Longer, Live Happier

I've always loved to study other cultures.
It's fascinating to me how so many cultures
that are considered third world, or developing
are actually much healthier and happier than
we are.

Denmark was recently voted as the population with
the happiest people in the world! Who would ever
have guessed Denmark? Not me.

In the United States. we're very much into looking
great, having the latest and greatest toy, house,
clothes, and of course looking like we're twenty
something and gorgeous.

But Americans are not too much into talking
about their emotional health. We'd rather take
a pill for that.

We're becoming a nation of isolated house sitters.
We sit in our house watching the mindless box,
eating garbage food, or sitting in front of
the computer screen talking to people we don't
hardly know.

In many other cultures, not all, (only because
they want to be more like us) they visit with
each other more. Talk more face to face. Spend
time with each other.

Loneliness is a HUGE issue in this country.
And this leads to diseases since there develops
a feeling of 'why bother, no body cares about
me?'

It's been proven that other cultures that are
'poor' by our standards who are highly involved
in one another are happier AND healthier!

It's not about owning stuff!
It's not about looking good!

It's all about feeling good enough that you can
reach out to another human being.

Some ways for combating loneliness:
* own a pet - pet parks are great to meet others
* join groups that do fun stuff
www.meetup.com is excellent for this
* go to lunch each week with a co-worker

We are living longer but not happier.

Let's change that!

I for one am going kayaking
this week to meet some more people.

Great health always!
Dr. Judy