Researchers attempt to find the equation for happiness

[greygoose]

naturalnews.com/048577_happ...

Well, I think that whether you're happy or not is to do with your hormones. What do others think?

[Willowluv]

I don't know, I think if my hubby was less clueless that would make me happy!!! Lol!

[greygoose in reply to Willowluv]

Yes, but the happiness wouldn't be coming from the Inside of you, it would be due to external events, which isn't quite the same thing.

[Willowluv]

I think internal and external factors matters. All a fine balancing act I guess.

[greygoose in reply to Willowluv]

To a certain extent, yes. But I'm still convinced that if you want to be happy you have to have well-balanced hormones. They all affect the brain in one way or another.

[Willowluv]

I do too but what if your hormones are perfectly balanced but life keeps throwing you a curve ball creating unhappiness?

[greygoose in reply to Willowluv]

I've known people like that who have managed to stay happy and take it all in their stride. Do you think your hormones are perfectly balanced, then?

[Willowluv]

Some people can put on a mighty brave face when in the thick of it, we are all different. I'm natuarally sensitive, hormones balanced on not, damn it :-)! Are mine perfectly balanced? Who knows, certainly more than they were. Maybe it is all because of hormones but in my humble opinion, I think many factors need to be taken into account. x

[greygoose in reply to Willowluv]

[Northie]

I'm no expert on any of this stuff at all but I think you can teach yourself(not sure if that is the right phrase) to be happy with small things even if you are overwhelmingly sad. This is my personal take on things. I believe hormones play a part, as I believe does nature and nurture etc.

I have a friend who has clinical depression and on meds for life. I often sit with her whilst she is weeping and unable to see things clearly. On these days and whilst she is crying copiously I can eat with her, sit and hold her hand, tell her my ridiculous antics and she knows and acknowledges that she is happy with some things, but she just can't get to that place as easily as other people.

She has no control over this sadness.

I've had undeniable sadness in my life but have learned to see good things and find happiness around me which in turn helps me. I don't think this is a hormonal thing. I have as I've grown tried to learn from people around me who seem happier, how to find that for myself?

I think I just maybe posted .....what's that wording looking for? Oh yes....twaddle? Hurrr hurrr.....

One of my problems being that I willy nilly release streams of conscious babble which then need unravelling into maybe one or two coherent sentences?

Anyhow, just joining in.....wishing you well.

[greygoose in reply to Northie]

Your 'babble' is completely coherent, Northie. And I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Has she had her thyroid tested? Certainly unbalanced hormones are responsible for a lot of depression.

[Northie]

Thank you for your kind words. Her thyroid is fine. She has had clinical depression for years. I met her at work and helped her with things when she had a bad episode so she wouldn't lose her job and start that spiral downwards into being a statistic rather than a person.

She does ok, with help. I sometimes take her to her counselling sessions and sit outside wtg, help her with stuff here and there. I'm no angel but we've all got to get through life and it doesn't cost me anything except time.

Anywaaaaayyyyeeee......time for a cuppa I believe...yay.

[Marz in reply to Northie]

Hi Northie - how great your friend has you for support. Just to add to greygoose's comment about the thyroid - I am inclined to agree with her. OK so your friend says her thyroid is fine - just how many times do we read this ? Did they test the T3 - and was it almost at the top of the range ? Did they test her B12 - Iron - Ferritin - Folate - VitD ? Were the results optimal ?

You may already know that Low B12 and VitD can be linked to low mood/depression. Also that T3 was used to treat depression back in the 50's and of course most good psychiatrists know of the connection between mental problems and the thyroid. T3 is needed in almost every one of the 30 trillion cells in the body - so that is a lot of T3 - likewise for VitD.

So if you want to be an even better friend I would ensure her levels are OPTIMAL and not just fine.... FT4 and FT3 need to be near the top of the range....

I have helped quite a few people with depression too - so am not talking from a zero standpoint. Is she taking supplements ? Does she have any gut issues ? The link between the gut and the brain is well documented.

Keep up the good work...

[greygoose in reply to Marz]

Totally agree with Marz. There are so many things linked to depression that doctors just don't look at. And saying her thyroid is 'fine', isn't a diagnosis, it's an opinion. She needs to get the numbers and find someone who can interpret them.

I also agree that she is very Lucky to have you. I wish there were more people like you around. xxx