Happiness: The Highest Form of Health

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“Happiness is the highest form of health.” Dalai Lama

I was so disappointed when my medical problems did not go away once I started to thrive.

I discussed happiness in my last article. This week I want to continue my discussion about happiness. I learned to thrive emotionally and mentally. I now consider myself a happy person. But I have not yet reached this same success in my physical health. 

I have been to multiple medical and alternative practitioners over the years. Looking for answers that may never come. I was referred to one functional medicine provider whose patients come from all over the country for treatment. I sent him my info, spoke with him and made an appointment. The person sitting next to me had flown in from Washington state to see this doctor. I was encouraged and looking forward to seeing this practitioner. Soon, it was time for my appointment. I went in, he performed his evaluation and then it came time for him to discuss the results and my treatment plan. He turned to me and said that all of my problems were caused by stress. My heart fell. I was so disappointed. Many patients hear this all too familiar phrase in their quest for a diagnosis and treatment. Usually, it means that the doctor can’t find a reason for the symptoms in the patient’s lab work or any diagnostic tests. They don’t know or desire to proceed with continued investigating so they tell the patient that their stress is the cause of everything.  

I had been given a formal medical diagnosis and was already on a treatment plan. But I was looking for either a co-existing issue that could possibly be addressed and help my functional ability or some kind of treatment that might help my persistent fatigue. 

Part of me thought that, maybe, just maybe, some of these doctors were right? Maybe, if I got my stress under control and became mentally strong, then most of my physical problems would just go away. 

But my physical problems did not go away. These providers were wrong. We are no longer in the dark ages. Years ago, if people did not understand something then they would blame it on the moon, the gods, witchcraft, female hysteria, whatever was in vogue at that time. How is this different? Is being stressed the new in vogue reason when you can’t answer the question? 

I went back and had a conversation with my main physician. He assured me that I did have a real diagnosis that needed medical treatment. This wasn’t stress or something just in my head. He said that while improving my stress will help my condition, it won’t magically disappear. 

So, what does the Dalai Lama mean when he says Happiness is the highest form of health?

Maybe that happiness is more important than physical health? Or maybe that I am the healthiest I can be given my circumstance. A happy spirit leads to a healthier body. It must mean that I am healthier than I would otherwise. It is not a promise of perfect health. It is a promise that I am better! 

There are studies that show happiness can affect physical health. Researchers have found that higher well-being (i.e., happiness) is linked to better general health, less pain, reduced susceptibility to colds and flu viruses, and fewer chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Well-being can promote better physical health in a number of ways. First, when people feel good, they are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as exercising and eating well. Another way that well-being may promote health is by improving the functioning of the body’s physiological systems, such as cardiovascular and immune systems. It is known that stress can cause deterioration of health. When stress is chronic, these same physiological responses can damage health. (1) 

Thriving does not mean my life will be perfect. It means I will be happy in spite of the ups and downs of life. My pain will be better, I will have less colds, and I will enjoy my life more. 

So, is that what happened?

Yes, it did. I still enjoy my life despite not always feeling well. It is frustrating to not always do what I want or to not always feel how I’d like to feel. But I am still happy despite it all. I still have pain but it doesn’t bother me as much as it did before. I am better able to tolerate it.  I may be more tired at times due to increasing age and trying to do more, but tests do not show that my condition has worsened. I have heart issues but not heart disease (which is tied to stress and depression). I have an autoimmune disease but the antibodies in my blood have improved. I still have pain, but I am able to function with it. 

Overall, I do feel better. Overall, I am better.

I am thriving! I enjoy my life. I am happy!