Is posting on forums healthy?

[_Ray A]

Does it increase your happiness?

Clinical proof happiness is good for you
Amy Norton , Reuters
Published: Thursday, January 03, 2008
NEW YORK - A happy heart just might be a healthier one as well, new research suggests.

In a study of nearly 3,000 healthy British adults, lead by Dr. Andrew Steptoe of University College London, found that those who reported upbeat moods had lower levels of cortisol -- a "stress" hormone that, when chronically elevated, may contribute to high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and dampened immune function, among other problems.

In the study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, women who reported more positive emotions had lower blood levels of two proteins that indicate widespread inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to a range of ills over time, including heart disease and cancer.

Researchers have long noted that happier people tend to be in better health than those who are persistently stressed, hostile or pessimistic. But the reasons are still being studied.

One possibility is that happier people lead more healthful lifestyles, but not all studies have found this to be the case, explained Steptoe.

"We have therefore been searching for more direct biological links between positive states and health," he told Reuters Health.

The current findings, according to Steptoe, add to evidence that happiness and other positive emotions are "associated with biological responses that are health-protective."

The study, published in the American Journal, included 2,873 healthy men and women between the ages of 50 and 74. Over the course of one day, participants collected six samples of their saliva so that the researchers could measure their cortisol levels; after taking each sample, participants recorded their current mood -- the extent to which they felt "happy, excited or content."

On a separate day, the researchers measured participant's levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, two markers of inflammation in the body.

They found that men and women who reported happier moods had lower average cortisol levels over the course of the day -- even when factors such as age, weight, smoking and income were taken into account.

Among women, but not men, positive emotions were also related to lower levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6. The reason for the sex difference is not clear, according to the researchers.

Steptoe said the findings on cortisol confirm the results of earlier, smaller studies; the results on C reactive protein and interleukin 6, however, are new.

"These findings suggest another biological process linking happiness with reduced biological vulnerability," he said.

But if happier people are healthier people, the more difficult question remains: How do you become happier?

"What we do know," Steptoe noted, "is that people's mood states are not just a matter of heredity, but depend on our social relationships and fulfillment in life."

"We need to help people to recognize the things that make them feel good and truly satisfied with their lives, so that they spend more time doing these things."

http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhea ... 8f&k=14668



These comments from Jersey Girl are, in my opinion, classic. (From the "Liz is a rat fink" (LOL) thread)

With regards to what people have said about myself or others behind the scenes, I largely don't give a damn. What we see on boards is only one portion of who a person is in real life and I don't come here to participate in real life, I come to participate in dicussion, to learn and also to hack around a bit because my real life is quite demanding.

Posting comments would be your choice but I really am not married to the gossip mill on boards. This isn't my real life, no one here pays my bills, takes care of my family, does my job and so in the grand scheme, it's not important to me. By and large, most posters on a board are unimportant to me, except for a select few. Infact, I can think of only one poster on this board who knows anything real or relevant about me and my life, and so the rest are simply acquaintenances in terms of Internet interaction.

To ask a question posed by the article: Does posting on forums (this or others) bring more happiness in your life? If so, how? I've noticed over the years that the same people post on forums. What drives people to post? I call it "play time", but I still enjoy the interactions, and even look forward to exposes and attacks from people who wouldn't know me from a bar of oatmeal soap, or what I'm really like. When I shut down my computer at the end of each day, I drift back into reality - bills to be paid, a job to go to, and family to see.

I'm intrigued by the long-time posters, and why we keep doing this.

[_harmony]

For many years, posting on forums like this one is the only thing that kept me sane. I struggled so much with what was thrown at me, if I'd had to bottle it all up, I'd have done something rash, like bashing my head against a brick wall. I'm past that now, and have mellowed out considerably since those bad old days when I was getting hammered from all sides and it seemed like I was always the one on the bottom of the dog pile.

I've met several people from the various boards in real life. Most of them are dear friends now, even though we were and still are on opposite sides of the great divide.

[_moksha]

I have thought perhaps such forums represent a place where people pushed around on the beach can finally kick sand in someone else's face.

[_Ray A]

I have thought perhaps such forums represent a place where people pushed around on the beach can finally kick sand in someone else's face.

LOL.

[_Ray A]

I don't know how many of you here are really familiar with President Hinckley's humour. He has been so ridiculed and even dehumanised by some. Years ago I viewed a video of GBH, and I thought this revealed a terrific insight into the man and his humour. After being called as an apostle, in his first conference address, he said he didn't know why he received this important calling, but remembered that one time he helped a little old lady cross the road when he was a boy scout, and that may have influenced the call. The GAs, from J.Golden to the present, have maintained a great sense of humour in the face of attacks and adversity.

President Hinckley has also been outspoken in regard to racism, consistently. I even suspect, though I don't know, that he supported Hugh Brown's call for change in the early 1960s. But they are painted by detractors on the Internet as evil authoritarians of a "cult". The Internet, and Internet culture, does not do justice to these people. Anti-Mormon sites only encourage negativity, without looking at the whole person. We draw so many caricatures on the Net, with selective information. This is one thing I noted about the Tanners, way back in the late '80s, when I started reading their Salt Lake City Messenger, and I read every edition. They could praise Mormonism in some aspects, but would never fail to add a negative qualifier. Their work has truly been carried on through sites like RFM. Kick Mormonism, and if possible kick it to death.

I propose new terms: Internet Exmos, and Real Life Exmos.

The real life exmos I know are putting another shrimp on the barbie, and enjoying life to the full.

[_dooosh]

I don't know how many of you here are really familiar with President Hinckley's humour. He has been so ridiculed and even dehumanised by some. Years ago I viewed a video of GBH, and I thought this revealed a terrific insight into the man and his humour. After being called as an apostle, in his first conference address, he said he didn't know why he received this important calling, but remembered that one time he helped a little old lady cross the road when he was a boy scout, and that may have influenced the call. The GAs, from J.Golden to the present, have maintained a great sense of humour in the face of attacks and adversity.

President Hinckley has also been outspoken in regard to racism, consistently. I even suspect, though I don't know, that he supported Hugh Brown's call for change in the early 1960s. But they are painted by detractors on the Internet as evil authoritarians of a "cult". The Internet, and Internet culture, does not do justice to these people. Anti-Mormon sites only encourage negativity, without looking at the whole person. We draw so many caricatures on the Net, with selective information. This is one thing I noted about the Tanners, way back in the late '80s, when I started reading their Salt Lake City Messenger, and I read every edition. They could praise Mormonism in some aspects, but would never fail to add a negative qualifier. Their work has truly been carried on through sites like RFM. Kick Mormonism, and if possible kick it to death.

I propose new terms: Internet Exmos, and Real Life Exmos.

The real life exmos I know are putting another shrimp on the barbie, and enjoying life to the full.

That is your opinion of Gordo. I personally find him to be a dishonest CEO who care little for people.

by the way, since you were ex'd, which exmo do you align with?

[_Ray A]

That is your opinion of Gordo. I personally find him to be a dishonest CEO who care little for people.

Then you don't know Gordon B. Hinckley.

by the way, since you were ex'd, which exmo do you align with?

Any ones who are not as bitter and twisted as you are in your irrational hatred.

[_dooosh]

That is your opinion of Gordo. I personally find him to be a dishonest CEO who care little for people.

Then you don't know Gordon B. Hinckley.

by the way, since you were ex'd, which exmo do you align with?

Any ones who are not as bitter and twisted as you are in your irrational hatred.

Since you are an exmo who defends portions of Mormonism, I'd classify you as deluded exmo.

Speaking of Aussie exmos, at least well known exmos, have you had the chance to meet Simon?

[_Ray A]

Since you are an exmo who defends portions of Mormonism, I'd classify you as deluded exmo.

Beause I don't follow the whole "fraud shebang"? I'm happily deluded.

Speaking of Aussie exmos, at least well known exmos, have you had the chance to meet Simon?

No, I haven't met Simon. Am I supposed to genuflect when I do?

[_dooosh]

Since you are an exmo who defends portions of Mormonism, I'd classify you as deluded exmo.

Beause I don't follow the whole "fraud shebang"? I'm happily deluded.

Speaking of Aussie exmos, at least well known exmos, have you had the chance to meet Simon?

No, I haven't met Simon. Am I supposed to genuflect when I do?

No need to bow down and confess he is "the" truth monger, just extend your hand and give him a sure sign of the nail handshake.