The incredible science of happiness for better immunity

What’s something you really love to do?

Maybe you’re into craft or pottery, surfing or paragliding, teaching your kids about the natural world, or reading in the garden.

Whatever makes you happy, the good news is – it’ll do the same for your immune system.

Not so long ago, people would have laughed at the idea that feelings could affect the health of our bodies on a cellular level. But more and more research is proving that our mental state has a profound influence on all kinds of things – immune system included.

This June, as temperatures drop and lurgies take hold, we wanted to discuss a little-known tactic for improving your defences – so you can have a healthier, more enjoyable winter.

Make happiness your medicine

In 1964, a magazine editor named Norman Cousins was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition ankylosing spondylitis, and given a 1 in 500 chance of recovery.

Rather than accepting the news with resignation, Cousins crafted his own form of therapy – adding lashings of happiness to his life, including trips to the cinema to see films he loved, and activities that brought him joy.

You can probably guess where this story is going.

He made a dramatic recovery, crediting happiness and enjoyment with his miraculous remission of symptoms.

A change of heart

Just decades ago, scientists were reluctant to make a connection between our emotional state and health. However, during the 80s and 90s, research was undertaken that proved it existed.

They found that the brain was directly wired to the immune system, parts of the nervous system linked to important organs of immunity, and immune cells have receptors for neurotransmitters (chemical signals from the brain, usually associated with mood and behaviour).

Just as we now know how harmful chronic stress can be, we continue to learn more about the role of happiness and positivity in keeping our bodies healthy, too.

Smiling is anti-viral

The common cold is a virus – one most people feel more likely to catch during winter, as heaters recirculate the air and we all huddle a little closer.

However, one amazing study showed that happiness could have a direct impact on your ability to fight off viruses.

People classed as ‘stressed’ or ‘lonely’ undertook mindfulness meditation courses, and afterwards showed reduced inflammation and a shift in white blood cell gene expression towards greater antiviral activity.

Essentially, smiling is antiviral.

Countless studies have shown that mindfulness, stress-management, creativity, community connection, joyful hobbies and feelings of contentment are vital for warding off (or recovering from) illness.

In fact, people who live with a sense of purpose and meaning have more favourable gene expression (and live longer!) compared to those who don’t.

Get winter happy

If you’re a little unsure where to start, we’ve compiled a list of great ways you can boost your mood during the winter months, which you can read here.

It’s important to note that happiness is different for everyone. It’s individual and subjective, with no right or wrong approach – so don’t beat yourself up for not being ‘happy enough’… as that defeats the purpose!

Instead, simply appreciate the power of your body – to heal, to feel, to live and to strive for a little more happiness, every day.