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The World Health Organisation has a useful definition of health: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease." (WHO 2009)

So rather than just being without disease, such as the flu or common cold, all round health should take into account our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, those close to us, and the social context in which we live, work, and play.

And sometimes in a fast moving modern world it is difficult to get what we feel and think and how we actually behave in balance. When this occurs many of us feel stress. It is widely held that our positive mental health is as important as our good physical health, and there are ten factors that are recognised as contributing to happy health fulfilled people.

10 Factors that contribute to being happy and healthy:

• Being able to accept and like who you are
• Having someone to talk to about your thoughts and feelings
• Keeping physically active
• Continuing to learn new skills, hobbies, or pastimes
• Meeting and keeping in touch with friends
• Doing something creative
• Getting involved with other people in the wider community
• Being able to ask for help when you need to
• Taking time to relax and rest
• Recognising that you can, and do, survive most of life’s daily hassles

From these ten factors we could suggest some ways to help yourself be happier and less stressed.

8 ways to become happier and less stressed:

• Be flexible. Recognise that you are human and that being human includes making mistakes sometimes. Remember no one is perfect, learn to put things into perspective. Most mistakes don’t change the world, they only feel as if they do.
• When you relax try and concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply for five or six breaths. Learning to pause and breath deeply will help you think more clearly because more oxygen will get to your brain. Go on try it, it works!
• Be kind to yourself and learn to say “no” to some things. Remember we can’t do everything and it is less stressful to pace yourself than say yes to everything.
• Try and learn to play again, with a partner, a pet, or child, this can help burn off some of the bodies natural stress hormones leaving you more relaxed and happy.
• Physical exercise, like running or walking the dog has similar benefits as learning to play again. Being active brings out the body's endorphins, natural pain-killers, we really do feel better afterwards.
• Doing something creative can be as simple as cooking your own meals. If we eat well and avoid too many stimulants, like coffee, we can feel healthier and get a great sense of achievement in preparing our own meals. A healthy diet has the extra benefit of making the body strong and increases our sense of general well-being.
• Get involved with your local community, volunteering your help is a great way of feeling really good about ourselves. Helping others is one of the most rewarding things we can do, and usually leads to new friendships.
• If you have problems try and face up to them and don’t ignore them as problems ignored will only become more difficult and increase your stress levels. There is a truth in a problem shared is a problem halved, ask your partner, friends, or someone you trust for some help. Having someone to listen to you help to put things into perspective and talking through your problems with someone else usually brings out solutions that you might not have thought of on your own.