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Jenna Roach - Unit 4 KWL - Student Template*

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Ultimately, all of my articles have something in common. They explain how happiness doesn't just come naturally and it should be created in your own natural way> They explain how an individual should take responsibility and involve themselves into something that can bring light into their life. Involving yourself in different activities can also have many different health benefits. All 3 articles explains how these things impact stress levels on a positive level.

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Can pets really have a impact on our health? 

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Can pets really have a impact on our health? 

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A recap of this article: having a fury friend can improve heart health and lower stress, depression, and can get you involved with the community in positive ways.

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Thinking about adding a furry or feathered member to your family? Pets can provide perks no matter what your age. Maybe that's why 62% of households in the U.S. already have one.

It's true the care and feeding of a dog, cat, or even a goldfish can cost money and time - two things families are always short on. But the unconditional love and boost to your well-being that a pet can bring may well be worth your investment.

Here's how pets - especially cats and dogs - can improve your health and happiness:

A pet is good for your heart

High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can up your risk of heart disease, but owning a cat or dog can lower both, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Owning a cat or dog can also increase your chances of surviving a heart attack.

Pets lower stress and depression

Stroking your cat or dog can lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer. Even watching fish can ease tense muscles.

Playing with your pet increases the levels of the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Maybe that's why people recover from a stressful situation more quickly when they're with their pets than with their partners or friends, a study done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found.

Pets connect you to a community

Dogs, like babies, are conversation starters. On walks, you're bound to stop for a chat or two with other dog owners.

Pets also give you the chance to meet like-minded owners at the vet, pet store, or training classes. There's even a chance to connect online, where you can find forums and Facebook fan pages devoted to individual dog and cat breeds.

Pets get you moving

You can't be a couch potato when you have a dog. Walking a dog regularly means you're less likely to be obese and more likely to be physically active, the NIH has found.

The benefits continue to pay off as you age. One NIH-sponsored study followed 2,500 adults, 71 to 82 years old. The result: Those who took their dogs out regularly had more physical stamina &mdash; they walked faster and for longer periods of time and had more mobility inside the house.

Another plus: All that time outdoors increases your vitamin D levels and helps keep your bones strong. Not into dogs? Kitties need exercise, too, so grab a cat toy and have fun.

Pets a source of comfort

People may need people to live a richer life, but pets can provide many of the same perks, according to a study published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Pet owners had greater self-esteem and were better able to bounce back from rejection, the study found. Other studies have found that a pet can be a child's best buddy and help kids develop empathy.

Of course, not everyone is cut out to be pet owner. If you feel you can't spare the time or funds, reap the rewards of pet ownership by fostering a rescued animal or by volunteering at a shelter.

You'll be helping animals in need and finding a sense of purpose in the process - and that's a win-win for everyone
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Thinking about adding a furry or feathered member to your family? Pets can provide perks no matter what your age. Maybe that's why 62% of households in the U.S. already have one. It's true the care and feeding of a dog, cat, or even a goldfish can cost money and time - two things families are always short on.

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My brother Jason has suffered from anxiety for a while. I believe having a significant other improves happiness. A month from today (June 6) my brother and his fiance will be married. If he hadn't of met her 6 years ago at Neuqua, he could of been still suffering with anxiety. My brother today is happier than ever and is a dog dad! I am so glad he found his soon-to-be wife. So, yes I believe finding a significant other to spend your life with can improve mental health and happiness.

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To be honest, I used to spend hours just scrolling on social media, just like most teenage girls. People only post what they want the world to see, but deep down they know that's not how reality works. That's the issue with our generation. Everyone only shows the good and not the bad. This article conveys that people only care about how many likes and comments they get.

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Social media is taking over the world, as an estimated 2 billion people around the globe use social networking sites and 80 percent of Americans have at least one social media profile. The average American has five social media accounts and spends an hour and twenty minutes a day browsing their networks. Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram are among the most popular social media sites, while Snapchat and online dating sites such as Tinder and Bumble follow closely behind. Even pets now have their own Facebook and Instagram accounts; you can follow your favorite Fido the Dog at the quick click of a button.

We are constantly in the rat race, trying to post the best videos, photos, and status updates to receive the most likes, follows, or comments. However, underneath the social media craze, we are actually trying to brag and showcase our best moments of our lives even when we may be living in misery. We live in a world where we constantly compare our lives to others and oftentimes do not take time to recognize our triggers, defeats, challenges, accomplishments, and endeavors because we are so busy trying to present ourselves in the best form possible. We don't take a moment to unwind, take a deep breath, and disconnect from the world. Rarely do people post their daily struggles on their social media accounts, partially because we are driven by society to showcase the best parts of our lives and not our struggles.

Social media sites enable people to connect with each other no matter on which continent or in which time zone they reside. Although it allows people to stay in touch with loved ones around the world, can social media become an addiction? Does portraying your life on the Internet falsely boost self- confidence?
Hunger for positive feedback
Chances are you will be checking your Facebook newsfeed when you wake up in the morning; it has become a daily routine for many. Studies have shown the impacts of positive reinforcement on the brain from participating in social media. In fact, participants in a well-known study demonstrated stronger activity within the brain's nucleus accumbens when they received positive feedback about themselves than when they saw another person receiving positive feedback.

Let's face it, positive reinforcement is difficult to resist and can lead people to become addicted to Facebook or other social media sites. Status updates and photos on social media often present an idealized version of that person's reality.
Thirst for instant gratification
The motivation for instant gratification, and the idea that bigger and better can achieve happiness, influence what people share on social media sites. It takes our brain less than a second to decide whether we want to swipe right or left on a dating profile, simply based off the other individual's appearance or whether we want to like a friend's post on Facebook simply based off a picture. If we are not instantly overcome with pleasure then we will simply move on to something that is more gratifying, hence why we "swipe left," "unfollow," or "unfriend." This can lead users to constantly compare themselves to others and think less of their own lives, potentially leading to negative feelings such as jealousy or low self-esteem.

It seems that teenagers are affected the hardest. Research studies have shown that teens who use social media for more than two hours a day show tendencies toward a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. Although a direct causality has not been shown, the evidence does show a correlation between social networking and depression in teens. This may go back to the theory of instant gratification and low self-esteem or may be due to the rising issue of cyberbullying, which often occurs on social media.

"It could be that teens with mental health problems are seeking out interactions as they are feeling isolated and alone," states Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga, M.D., the study's lead author.
What matters most
Social media can bring people from different worlds together. The connectedness and friendship that sites such as Facebook provide can be life-changing, especially when your loved ones live far away. The downside is that technology has changed today's relationships and, as a result, face-to-face interpersonal skills are disappearing among people. At the end of the day, keep in mind what matters most: connecting in person, human touch and lasting, authentic relationships. Don't get bogged down by the popularity of Facebook statuses or Instagram photos, as that truly can become addicting. Better yet, set aside a specific amount of time per day or per week to unplug from social media or make it a habit to disconnect from technology when you go on a trip or go out to dinner. Maybe even only go on social media via a desktop or laptop and delete the apps from your phone. There are so many ways to prevent the "social media blues"; you just have to create boundaries if you truly want to find happiness. #letsunplug

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Are We Allowing Social Media to Dictate Our Happiness?

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Social media is taking over the world, as an estimated 2 billion people around the globe use social networking sites and 80 percent of Americans have at least one social media profile. The average American has five social media accounts and spends an hour and twenty minutes a day browsing their networks.

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The people an individual lets in their life and the decisions they make can have a huge impact. We all go through rough patches in our life, and some may or may not stick with us, but we have to make the best out of everything we do in our lifetime. We live each and every day to spread kindness and awareness and to bring other peoples happiness down.

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You Don't Find Happiness, You Create It | Katarina Blom | TEDxGöteborg

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When i think of achieving happiness, I immediately think of vacation. Everyone loves to feel relaxed and not have a care in the world when trying to get that bronze look (we all wish we had in winter time) while laying out at the pool or beach.

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To me, I believe when you surround yourself with positive people, and engage in speaking positively, then overall happiness can be consistent. To speak negativity of things and people can put a damper on your happiness and others too, because no one likes a negative natty! Our generations is so quick to take away the smiles we wear on our face. Spreading kindness and helping others can really help us pursue happiness.

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I believe heroic events can shape our happiness. Happiness doesn't come naturally, we must create it. The negative energy we let into our life such as bad influential friends, or a situation that the outcome wasn't beneficial, can put a damper on happiness.

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noun
The state of being happy.
synonyms: | contentment, pleasure, contentedness, satisfaction, cheerfulness, cheeriness

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How physical activity can impact happiness article recap 

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How physical activity can impact happiness article recap 

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This articles explains how if you start exercising regularly you not only have a better self image but it reduces stress and general mood. To me, when i'm stressed I like to procrastinate but then I end up struggling with my homework, but when I workout I feel productive and I'm not on my phone, which is good for the soul!

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Did you know that when you start to exercise regularly, you not only begin to notice changes to your physique but also significant improvements to your health that extend beyond your physical appearance? Exercise goes a long way to improve your general mood, the quality of your sleep as well as support your immune system.

How does exercise make you happy?

When it comes to exercise and depression, studies show that maintaining a regular exercise routine can supplement proper counseling or therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate depression and, in some cases, is as effective as antidepressant medication.

Now for the science. So what happens to our brains when we exercise? Working out leads to changes in your brain, such as increased blood flow and the creation of new neural pathways. Hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and testosterone are also released in response to increased physical activity.

Endorphins give you that post-exercise high-as-a-kite feeling. As your body's natural painkillers, they reduce discomfort, enhance pleasure and improve self-esteem.

Serotonin controls your appetite, helps you sleep sounder, and regulates your mood. These factors all go hand-in-hand to make us feel happier, calmer, and more stable.

Dopamine is that pleasurable habit-forming hormone that keeps you coming back for more. It signals the reward and pleasure centers in our brain's, which help motivate us to take action and work towards things that make us feel good.

Testosterone, crucial for both men and women, is important for your metabolism, muscle growth and libido. Low levels can lead to depression and obesity. Regular exercise, especially endurance/resistance training, raises testosterone levels.

Exercise and stress reduction

Chronic stress is a major factor in many modern-day mental ailments such as depression and anxiety. The pressure to meet life's demands can result in the overactivation of "fight or flight" hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. The overproduction of these hormones over an extended period is the root of most stress-related illness. So what has this got to do with regular exercise you may ask? Well, regular exercise releases the previously listed "happy" hormones and counterbalances the overproduction of cortisol and adrenaline.

Now take a moment and think about how you feel when you're stressed. Do you notice a lot of muscle tension? Do you experience back pain, an upset stomach, or headaches? In addition to hormonal balance, exercise helps pump more blood and oxygen through your body, relieving tense muscles. Once your body relaxes, your mind follows suit.

State of play

Treat exercise as "play time" and give your brain a needed break from negative thoughts or rumination. Working out requires you to be fully present in the here and now, so you won't have to time to ponder the more dismal goings on in your life. If you reframe the repetitive movements of exercise as a form of moving meditation, you'll be able to foster a sense of calm and clarity.

Rev up your metabolism

Want to reactivate your metabolism and have it humming like a well-oiled engine? Then maintain a regular workout routine and support your body in converting fuel (food) into energy more efficiently. Muscle cells burn more energy than fat cells, so working out and building more lean body mass amp up your metabolism.

Exercise for a good night's sleep

Ask any new parent, a lack of sleep has a profound effect on mood, concentration and can even contribute to difficulty losing weight. If you find falling or staying asleep challenging and counting sheep just isn't cutting it, then you may want to consider upping your physical activity. Regular exercise has been shown to improve quality of sleep. Even short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleep patterns. Keep in mind workouts in the evening may energize you too much before bedtime. Instead try more relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching.

Boost your immune system

As if that wasn't enough, not only does exercise strengthen your mental resilience and neutralize the release of stress hormones, but resulting lower stress levels can improve your immunity. Exercise boosts your immune system by circulating white blood cells faster throughout your system and fighting disease quicker.

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Exercise and Happiness: How Activity Affects Our Mental Health | 8fit

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We all know that exercise is beneficial for a healthy body. But did you know that regular exercise plays a big role in boosting happy hormones like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine? Learn how working out balances your mind and body for a happier, healthier you!

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To attain happiness, not everything has to sunshine and rainbows. The trauma each and every one of us go through pushes us to learn from our mistakes and makes us even stronger and happier.