Happy National Pursuit of Happiness week. Why is it so important to have happiness in your life? According to Chinese medicine, the state of one’s happiness has a huge impact on health and wellness. And as we know, emotional well-being goes hand-in-hand with physical well-being.

Modern research supports the strong connection between emotions and health. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health states that “A vast scientific literature has detailed how negative emotions harm the body. Serious, sustained stress or fear can alter biological systems in a way that, over time, adds up to “wear and tear” and, eventually, illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Chronic anger and anxiety can disrupt cardiac function by changing the heart’s electrical stability, hastening atherosclerosis, and increasing systemic inflammation.”

Clearly, emotions are powerful and can have a significant impact on your physical and emotional health. But although negative emotions can harm the body, the reverse is also true: positive emotions can help the body. Emotions like happiness and joy go a long way in creating a healthy, balanced, functioning being.

Happiness is associated with the energetic frequency of the Heart, which is the ruler of all organs in the body. As an ancient Chinese proverb goes: “If the king is happy, the entire kingdom benefits.” If the Heart is healthy and balanced, then all the other organ systems in the body get a major boost as well.

But creating happiness can be challenging when life presents its roadblocks. Many people look outside of themselves to find happiness. They look to loved ones, partners and even career moves to find what makes them happy. But true happiness cannot be found in any of these places. True happiness comes from within. Happiness is the process of bringing your mind, body, and spirit into balance. Or as Gandhi once said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

So, during National Pursuit of Happiness week, challenge yourself to focus on the positive. Drop your negative thoughts and replace them with what makes you smile. Do this every day, little-by-little. After a few days, notice your smile getting deeper and heading inward. Let go of your troubles and give your inner light a chance to shine. It’s incredible to see how your emotional health really does support your physical well-being,