More leisure time means more health and happiness

Good morning friends. More leisure time means more health and happiness. I did agree with this. Because if we have more free time to ourselves and to others, we can feel the difference of being always busy in our daily routine all the time. There are things that should be given priorities but whatever it is, we should always think of time to be in our best time and best moment.

A new study has confirmed what many people already knew: the more time spent doing different types of enjoyable activities, the better a person's health tends to be.

The study says taking time for leisure activities apart from the demands of work and other responsibilities helps people function better physically and mentally.

"People who are engaged in multiple enjoyable activities are better off physically and psychologically," said study co-author Karen Matthews, Ph.D. She is a professor of psychiatry, epidemiology and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The study appears online in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine.

To reach the conclusion, 1,400 adults reported how often they participated in a variety of leisure activities, including spending time unwinding, visiting friends or family, going on vacation, going to clubs or religious activities or playing sports.

Adults with higher scores - indicating the most time spent in different leisure activities - had lower blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index and cortisol measurements, all markers of good health.

"When one is under stress, the usual thing is to cut back on enjoyable activities because you're feeling uncomfortable and you need more time to deal with the stress. But these data suggest that is the wrong thing to do and that continuing enjoyable activities you do can be helpful," Matthews said.

People who spent more time doing diverse leisure activities also reported stronger and more diverse social networks, more feelings of satisfaction and engagement in their lives and lower levels of depression. Those who logged the most leisure time also slept better and exercised more consistently, the authors say. – The Times of India

Be content and let go

Good morning friends. Life itself is synonymous with growth. Various events in my life have been spiritual lessons from which I learnt and grew as a person.

I believe that each individual is guided by a special force that helps him grow and move ahead in life. There have been many ups and downs in my life, like when my mother passed away. That was a difficult situation for me but I found solace in the supreme force called the Almighty.

Contentment and purity lie within oneself and one cannot hunt for it in the outside world. Our relationship with the Supreme Being gives solace and for some, this comfort is found in temples. It’s completely up to individuals to choose their way of connecting with the Supreme Power.

Many fears that we sustain within us also come from our insecurities. So, at this juncture, when the world is seeing so much chaos and unhappiness, I would love to ask God to show us the path to overcome these insecurities. Everyone should keep in mind that material happiness is fleeting and the only constant thing that is here to stay is inner bliss and satisfaction, which is the main wealth one earns in a lifetime.

Looking outwards or going to a spiritual guru may not be the solution for me, but it works for some people who turn to them for attaining peace and contentment. I believe the true nature of spirituality is that silent understanding you have when you “just flow”.

I have discovered that as I endeavor towards my spiritual quest in life, it’s important to be ever so vigilant of the ego. I’m not out to prove that my belief is better than anyone else’s, only to understand what the Great Spirit has communicated. – Jay Panda

How can I find happiness in my life? (2)

Without complaining, he went to his job every day. At night he returned, his attitude as positive as if he had his old job. One night he got to talking enthusiastically about the fine art of digging ditches and how he was enjoying the opportunity of working outdoors and using his strength to accomplish a task. "I've never felt better in my life," he commented.

We boys were so fascinated by his enthusiasm that we went to watch him. Most of the men who worked with him were leaning on their shovels, looking miserable. Not our neighbor. When he saw us, he stopped to take us on a quick tour. He told us how to dig a ditch. Then he showed us his handiwork. His ditches were straight…uniformly deep - with firm sides. "Aren't they beautiful?" He was proud of his ditches.
One night, he announced that he had been made foreman. He was filled with compassion and pity for his men. They refused to accept their lot in life and spent the day moaning and complaining. Our neighbor now had a new zest for his job the challenge of lifting his men out of despondency and showing them how to be thankful they had some work to do.

As I watched this highly skilled craftsman who could find a challenge and satisfaction in anything he did, I realized he had mastered a pivotal principle: it was not the task that was important, but the spirit he brought to that task. He brought an undaunted spirit to every task and experience. As a result, he was happy and successful.

This man had a faith that sustained him. His faith could be summed up in these verses from the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6). -Henry Brandt. Visit him at www.BiblicalCounselingInsight.com