Today, March 20, is the International Day of Happiness. Let us join 193 United Nations member states to resolve to be happy for one hour today. In other words, let’s spread happiness.

Happiness has several health benefits. It causes noticeable changes in your body that strengthen your immune system and boost positive emotions. It is also known to decrease pain, chronic disease and provide stress relief. Happier people sleep better, eat better and make better life choices.

This why you should turn your frown upside down:

1. Happy people are more successful
Psychologists say happy people are successful and excel in many areas of their life including marriage, friendship, income, work performance, and health.

2. Happy people live longer
Studies have concluded that people who say they are happy (even for a short period of time), are less likely to die over a five-year period. And not surprisingly, the happier they were, the longer they lived.

3. You sleep better if you are happy
 Money can’t buy peace of mind, but happiness can. When your mind is at ease, your body follows suit. A rested mind will make you feel relaxed and get a better night’s sleep.

4. Healthy smile, healthy heart
Happiness has been proven to prevent heart disease, which is often caused by stress. People who are happy record lower levels of stress hormones that can cause harm to our health and hearts.

5. Wrinkles be gone
People who are happy are less likely to have gray hair and wrinkles which means they defy aging. So we just might have the secret elixir to everlasting beauty… happiness!

Article written by

Nidha Narrandes is a food-obsessed travel addict with 21 years of journalism experience. Her motto - Travel. Eat. Repeat. She is happiest on a road to nowhere without a plan. A masterchef at home, she can't do without chilli - because chilli makes the world a tastier place.