Pursuit of Happiness- Definition: Happiness is an abstract concept which can mean many things to many people. For our purposes here, let’s say that happiness is simply “contentment”.

Since Pursuit can be defined as the act of pursuing or chasing, the pursuit of happiness is merely chasing contentment.

We’re all familiar that food is a popular “drug” used for many who are in pursuit of happiness. That’s the reason so many turn to sugar laden foods in an attempt to temporarily elevate their mood. However, there are healthy ways to use food to elevate your mood!

In an issue of Woman’s World (Volume XXIX Number 4, January 2008), according to Susan Kleiner, Ph.D. R.D., author of The Good Mood Diet: Feel Great While You Lose Weight, one way to flip on your happiness switch is to munch on popcorn!  It seems chewing crunchy foods help to stimulate a nerve that tells the brain to release a rush of mood altering chemicals.

Other ways to use food to achieve happiness in the article include starting your day with a glass of citrus juice (Orange Juice or Grapefruit Juice).  Turns out that vitamin C helps to lower the stress hormone cortisol and just one glass of OJ or Grapefruit juice is just enough to tame this stressful hormone.

Another tip is to sniff cinnamon!  Seems that cinnamon and vanilla scents also help to release feel good chemicals in our brains.  (Now you know why the smell of freshly baked cookies elevates your mood!)

While food can be used to lift your mood, probably the most important habit to acquire in the pursuit of happiness is to get enough sleep. Research abounds that not getting adequate sleep throws off the brain’s ability to regulate mood.

Get plenty of rest, eat healthy and stay away from refined sugar and you’ll find yourself well on your way to finding contentment and happiness.

You may think because there’s 8 hours between when you retire and when you rise that you’re getting enough sleep.  However, that sleep may not be RESTFUL sleep and if that’s the case, the lack of HEALTHY restful sleep may be harming your health.

Studies have shown disturbed sleep is linked to poorer daytime function in older women.

One common cause of disturbed sleep is called Sleep Apnea.  Sleep apnea has even been fingered as a "cause of death". 

Could you have sleep apnea?  Some signs that you may not be getting enough sleep (or enough RESTFUL HEALTHY sleep) are:

• Unexplained weight gain (sleep apnea treatments can lead to weight loss!)
• Snoring
• Difficulty focusing and restlessness.  (Sometimes sleeplessness can mimic ADHD.)
• Frequent colds
• Forgetfullness
• Low libido
• Waking frequently throughout the night
• Sore throat upon waking
• Headaches in the morning

Here’s a great site to help you evaluate your symptoms.  Obviously, consult your doctor if you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea.