Do it for your neighbor’s cousin’s girlfriend.
January 25, 2010 at 12:29 am (Massage)
Living with chronic pain is exhausting. It gradually wears on a person until there is simply no energy left to do something about it. We know that getting a massage or taking a vacation or even getting in for a regular check up with the doctor would be really good for us. But do we schedule that appointment? No. Life is just too busy, especially if we are busy caring for children, parents, or managing a big project. We put ourselves last on the list of caretaking duties. We get tired, irritable, just downright unhappy. But what if you knew that your happiness, or lack thereof, affected everyone around you? Well, it does. In fact, not only does it affect those around you, but also those around them, and those around them. Happiness seems to spread like a contagion and researchers repeatedly find clusters of happy and unhappy people:
Clusters of happy and unhappy people are visible in the network, and the relationship between people’s happiness extends up to three degrees of separation (for example, to the friends of one’s friends’ friends). People who are surrounded by many happy people and those who are central in the network are more likely to become happy in the future. Fowler and Christakis, 2008
So, when you are putting yourself last on that list of people to make happy, you are actually perpetuating their unhappiness.
…clusters of happiness result from the spread of happiness and not just a tendency for people to associate with similar individuals. A friend who lives within a mile (about 1.6 km) and who becomes happy increases the probability that a person is happy by 25% (95% confidence interval 1% to 57%). Similar effects are seen in coresident spouses (8%, 0.2% to 16%), siblings who live within a mile (14%, 1% to 28%), and next door neighbours (34%, 7% to 70%). Effects are not seen between coworkers. Fowler and Christakis, 2008
“Effects are not seen between coworkers.” I would love to hear your thoughts about that!
Conclusions People’s happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected. This provides further justification for seeing happiness, like health, as a collective phenomenon. Fowler and Christakis, 2008
So pick up the phone right now and make that appointment. Take some days off. Start treating yourself better and dozens of people will benefit from your good work. Earlier this week I received the best testimonial yet. My client said “I was singing yesterday. I haven’t caught myself singing in – well, I don’t know how long!” That made me happy. Oh! See? It works!
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Anthony said,
February 10, 2010 at 11:28 am
Wow. That’s really interesting. I better make sure that I’m staying happy with all of my clients. I’m pretty sure I’m pretty positive with them, but I’ll make extra sure now.
Exie Buehler said,
February 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I was looking for massage therapy blog links to add to my blogroll and found yours. It’s great! I love this post because as stress levels rise in this country, so does the contagiousness of negativity. Regular massage therapy is so helpful because of the endorphins, those lovely “happiness hormones” that get released during a session. I know for myself, that when I get a massage, I am much more patient when things go wrong and I am happier. As the saying goes (or a variation of it), ‘when mama’s happy, everyone’s happy’!
massage school said,
March 2, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Very true. Massage is the best and easiest way to make someone happy.
Rehabilitacja Warszawa said,
March 6, 2010 at 9:31 am
This blog is just awesome! Keep on that great work.
Allison Mitchell said,
March 6, 2010 at 11:34 am
I have noticed lately I am greatly influenced by the attitude of my friends. If I’m around negative people I tend to be very negative and vice versa. I am striving to change this about myself. I want to be the happy positive person no matter what and hopefully the negative people will become happy off of my vibe. In this profession it is really easy to pick up on your clients energy as well so I’m hoping I can transfer a happy energy from now on and not take on their negative energy.
I have always believed if you take care of yourself first others are automatically happy. Because they do sense if you’re happy or unhappy. Even when people think they hide their unhappiness well people around them can sense it.
Truer words have never been written.
Thanks for your blog
Adam said,
March 8, 2010 at 3:38 pm
It really is unbelievable how a therapeutic massage can change a persons whole life. Once pain and tension are released are person is actually able to be the happy person they want to be, I don’t believe people want to negative or hard to be around. I definitely don’t!! Massages are a great place to start, so take the time and make your life better.
Joyce South said,
March 18, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I just discovered your blog today and I am sure thrilled, you have great information on it. This article about how our happiness affects others is SO TRUE. I know that My mood really affects my clients and my ability to serve them. Thank you so much. Joyce South
david said,
March 29, 2010 at 1:03 am
I am a therapist in las vegas Navada , i am very excited about a new product that will be coming on the market 7 months from now.It is called the spa rock.2 electronic river stones They look and feel like river stones ,but are only heated on one side, so you do not burn your hands when giving a stone. the charge last 7 hours .so you can give stone massages back to back.This is very cool I know you can get to their site but it is not up and running yet.(WWW.ROCKTHESPA.COM)I know about them because i had heard something about this ,to the fact that WYNN spas are going to purchase them this is big news in town ,But even better this is great news for every therapist in the feild I will explain if interested like me! /contact me at dwcrothers@gmail.com
Yobelin Fernandez said,
April 2, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Happiness is definitely contagious. Sometimes, even when I’m feeling sad, I make myself smile, and find that that helps me and those around me. Massage is a way I have found to reduce people’s stress and increase their happiness levels. It was something I did casually for a long time, and after enough people told me I was so amazing I should do it for a living, I decided to follow my passion and get my massage therapy license. I recently started my own practice in New York City and am looking forward to using the art and science of massage therapy to spread the happiness epidemic. If you are ever in the NYC area and are looking for a licensed massage therapist, please contact me at yo@yossage.com. Take care and be well
massage therapist insurance said,
April 7, 2010 at 7:39 am
I think some times bad massage can make any one unhappy. But i accept that if every client will be taken care they all will be happy.
Thanks for your post.
Mindy Zimmer said,
April 7, 2010 at 11:54 am
As a massage therapist, I agree wholeheartedly with your entry. I LOVE when my clients come to me with the same stories of returning to a happy and healthy lifestyle. Keep spreading the word!
Body Options Spa said,
April 19, 2010 at 9:25 am
Right on, it’s a huge stress reliever for our clients!
Massage Eugene said,
May 2, 2010 at 12:25 am
How true. You have a great blog. Keep up the good work.
Aura Spa said,
May 3, 2010 at 3:16 pm
You blog is always incredibly informative. Happiness is indeed contagious. We find that people who do things with others, whether they share in the massage experience with a partner or a friend, they always seem more satisfied.
Aloha Massage said,
July 7, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Massage is such a postive experience that’s why I love my job and provide a peaceful hawaiian location in San Diego http://www.masseuseinsandiego.com
massage kingston upon thames said,
July 14, 2010 at 8:19 am
Well said Mindy, it’s the same for us with our clients!
massage business said,
July 14, 2010 at 8:28 am
Great article and fantastic research information. We all need to know about this to keep reinforcing the importance of a positive attitude and not to forget, the importance of regular massage!
Nick Pavoldi said,
July 23, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for a great post! The way our bodies feel definitely affects our mood and how we live. People often underestimate what a difference massage and bodywork can make in their lives. With the right treatment, I’ve seen clients with chronic pain do a 180, even where standard physical therapy didn’t help them. – Nick Pavoldi, Bodywork Professionals http://www.bodyworkprofessionals.com
massage columbia SC said,
July 24, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Love the blog some great information
Dave said,
September 5, 2010 at 7:28 am
I could not agree more with this. Montreal is a city where people most often put happiness before things like possessions and making money. We were recently voted the second happiest city in the world and I can only confirm that it makes a huge difference in my own attitude!
INeedaMassage said,
September 23, 2010 at 8:20 am
Massage = Happy…
Massage CEU said,
December 22, 2010 at 10:35 am
Thanks for the great post. Happiness can spread from one person to another, can’t it?
well4U said,
January 8, 2011 at 8:27 am
I just discovered your blog and it is really interesting. I will come back to read more.
Mauricio Riqueza said,
January 26, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Great information. Then, I need to be relaxed to be happy and for my friends and family as well as be… Interesting!
Heather Wibbels said,
January 29, 2011 at 9:57 pm
It’s funny, when I look at groups of clients who are related or know one another, I can see patterns and correlations of their stress-levels and their “happiness” for lack of a better word for it. Not sure about the work point you mentioned, in some of the cases I’ve seen, friends at work seem to have some of the same empathy-issues of taking on the stress of others around them. Thanks for the post!
Kimberly said,
March 12, 2011 at 2:02 pm
So true… thanks for the reminder. Let’s spread happiness!
inner peace said,
March 18, 2011 at 5:55 am
Even though most people seek out a massage for the relaxation benifits its good to know that there is more to a massage than just pure relaxation!
Im so glad your are helping
Lynda said,
March 21, 2011 at 4:10 am
Nothing more rewarding than getting positive feedback from a new client who has been in discomfort for whatever reason. The healing powers of massage never cease to amaze me even after 7 years in this business. Thanks again for the great blog.
Brigitte said,
April 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Looking after yourself as a number 1 priority should always be first. If we are not functioning at top level then we can never hope to offer our clients the very best that they deserve to have.
Courtney said,
June 2, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Hi there! I just found your blog and it is WONDERFUL! Thank you for your thoughtful posts.
Anyhoo, about the “Effects are not seen between coworkers,” I would say that is not always true. But perhaps one’s happiness only spreads to coworkers who are also friends and not just a colleagues.
____
http://happywhats.blogspot.com/
Greg said,
June 15, 2011 at 11:06 am
I think it’s great that someone studied this. We just love to quantify everything. It seems obvious that happiness might be contagious because laughter certainly is. It’s much easier for me to laugh with a group than on my own. I bet the correlation is due to more complex phenomena than just that sort of contagion, though. I think it’s likely that our close relationships form both because of our behaviors and also strongly influence our behaviors. It seems reasonable that certain behaviors are more likely to result in happiness. So, regular massage might help someone be happier, and it might help people in their social network be happier by encouraging them to get a massage as well.
Eli said,
July 25, 2011 at 5:55 pm
If you don’t have time to go to a massage therapist but you need to loosen up a bit… try buying a personal massager. I got this one called The Epiphany Massager. It is the only one I really like because of the way it is designed. It makes it sooooo much easier to reach every inch of your back and shoulders and neck. I could literally sit for like hours massaging my OWN back with no strain!!
Buy one for your self here… http://www.epiphanymassager.com/
and… check out the blog too… http://epiphanymassager.wordpress.com/
Yay! I love this thing!!
-E
Reflexology Batley said,
August 7, 2011 at 7:52 am
Good blog – It always amazes us just how many people do not take the time to look after themselves properly. Taking treatments seems to be regarded as a treat that cannot be afforded.
massage in Charlotte said,
November 21, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Totally agree with this post. With all the things going on in life people certainly need to take a break and think of themselves with techniques such as massage.