This Friday marks the United Nations International Day of Happiness, an initiative that works to make happiness a greater global priority. This year, the focus is on being ‘Happier Together’ – seeking to celebrate togetherness and our common humanity.[1]

This Friday is an important reminder that we should work to prioritise happiness – both for ourselves and others – in order to ensure our continued well-being in the future.

With this in mind, we’ve drawn up a list of ways that you can participate in this happiness project, so we can help make this world a happier, brighter place for all.

Pay It Forward
In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, they discovered that performing acts of kindness significantly boosts individual happiness and well-being.[2] These acts of kindness included both being kind to ourselves and to others – from friends and family members to total strangers. Practicing self-love, paying for a stranger’s coffee or simply sparking up a conversation with a fellow passenger on the bus are small ways we can bring a little bit more happiness into the world. As we all know the old saying, ‘kill them with kindness’, the best way we can encourage happiness in our community is to lead with kindness, pay it forward and the rest will follow.

Find a Workout Buddy
For some of us, exercising can be a chore at the best of times. However, physical activity has been shown to release endorphins and serotonin into the body, which ultimately works to increase feelings of joy and satisfaction.[3] Given its significance for maintaining long-term health and happiness, it’s important that we try and incorporate some form of physical exercise into our weekly routine. Exercising with a friend can be helpful in keeping up our motivation, keeping us accountable and, most importantly, adding in the fun-factor.

Keep in mind health guidelines, which recommend that adults 18-64 years are active on most days of the week. Aim for 2.5-5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity, like walking, or 1.25-2.5 hours of vigorous intensity physical activity, like running or bicycling, (or a combination of both), each week.^[4] If you are inactive, start by doing some, and gradually build to the recommended amount.

Keep Your Heart Happy
Keeping your heart healthy may be possible with Ubiquinol supplementation. Ubiquinol is the active and readily bioavailable form of CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) – a naturally-occurring nutrient found in every cell of our bodies.[5] It supports cellular energy throughout our body and helps our organs perform their vital functions. However, as we age, our bodies’ natural levels of Ubiquinol decline, as does our ability to convert CoQ10 to Ubiquinol.^[6] This may affect our cardiovascular health, amongst other things.

Supplementing with Ubiquinol may support normal, healthy cardiovascular function as well as healthy cholesterol levels in healthy people. Our hearts are one of the body’s most important organs, so why not give them the love they deserve.

From this Friday and beyond – keep happiness a priority by being kind to yourself first and paying it forward to others.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner.

[1] https://www.dayofhappiness.net/

[2] Rowland L. and Curry OS. A range of kindness activities boost happiness. Journal of Social Psychology. 2019; 159(3): 340-343.

[3] Dolan P., Kavetsos, G. and Vlaev, I. The Happiness Workout. Social Indicators Research. 2013; 119: 1363-1377.

[4] https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-phys-act-guidelines#apaadult

[5] Saini, R. Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioalllied Sciences. 2011 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 466-467.

[6] Ernster L. and Dallner G. Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1995;1271(1):195-204.