Rupert Grint, happy. Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.

Rupert’s birthday is not the only thing worth celebrating during the month of August. In 2000, the Secret Society of Happy People dubbed the month of August as Happiness Happens Month. Originally declared on August 9, 1999 as Admit You’re Happy day, and later renamed as Happiness Happens Day, this month long celebration encourages people around the world to do just that, be happy. As many of you know, Rupert stated in the Vol. 3 No. 1 issue of Blag Magazine that he “can‘t even recall the last time he felt angry.” Can you say the same?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, happiness is, “a state of well-being and contentment ; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” There are many benefits to being happy, however, one of the best benefits may be better health. Studies have shown that happier people tend to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol . Cortisol can be helpful in terms of helping the heart maintain a steady beat during stressful situations and helping people deal with intense pain; however, too much or prolonged levels of cortisol in the body can lead to high blood pressure and even a heart attack (and it gives you a big belly).

Therefore, it’s better to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” There are many ways that you can think your way to happier thoughts, such as, hanging around positive people, maintaining a journal of things for which you are thankful and finding out what you can do to make someone else happy.

What are some things that you do to “Be Happy?” Share in our comments.
And check out how your country ranks up in terms of overall happiness in the World Happiness Database.