646-Building a Happiness 401(k) Pt.2

Did you know there are seven buckets of happiness we can add to now that will improve our happiness decades later? In part 2 of my mini-series on building a happiness 401(k), we discuss the first half of this list. Tune in to hear these timeless secrets!

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in about 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat; yesterday, we discussed Arthur Brooks’ theory of the happiness 401(k), and today we are diving into the first half of the buckets. It is critical to remember that how you adhere to these buckets in your youth and even into mid-life will drastically determine your long-term happiness. Let’s analyze these, shall we?

First, smoking! It comes as no surprise that smoking isn’t good for you. You likely know that if you are a smoker, but I encourage you to quit. Smoke-free years can increase longevity, reduce health risks, and even lead to more money in your pocket! Plus, it removes the emotional strain placed on the loved ones that want to see you live a long and happy life.

Next up is drinking. Similar to smoking, drinking isn’t good for you either. While an occasional glass of wine or a night on the town will have minimal long-term effects, excessive drinking can lead to a plethora of physical, mental, and emotional conditions. If you feel as though drinking has become a heavy aspect of your life, or you recognize that alcohol abuse is a shared family trait, it would be wise to ease off in your youth and keep that practice maintained throughout your years.

Number 3 of the 7 buckets is maintaining proper body weight. Obesity is a common problem here in the USA, but it often goes unaddressed. Maintaining a healthy body weight is critical to your long-term health, with the CDC citing that the medical costs for adults with obesity were $1,861 higher than medical costs for people with a healthy weight in 2019. As you know, maintaining a healthy weight can be tricky, but a regular diet of quality food and moderate serving sizes is the place to start.

Along with maintaining a healthy body weight, exercise is the other key pillar of physical health. As discussed in my podcast episodes 239-242, exercise boosts happiness. Making an effort to practice daily movement starting when we are younger will have exponential benefits as we age physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you want to dance around in your living room, go on a walk, or (my favorite) play tennis, making an effort to incorporate daily movement into your routine is critical.

Tune in tomorrow to discover the final three happiness buckets and how you can start building them today!  

And in case you missed it, we are pivoting this podcast to a bi-monthly email at the end of the month.  I invite you to join happy mail, the happiest email in your inbox, just jump over to www.katiejefcoat.com/email  and subscribe.    

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