Here is a look at why it is so important to be happy:
Happiness helps you reduce stress. Stress can lead to heart problems, acne, as well as a number of other negative biological responses. When you have too much stress in your life, your body reacts negatively. Thus, being happy, helps eliminate stress, and makes you healthier. When you are happy, and your body is able to reduce its stress levels, the health of your body increases.

Happiness improves immune function. When someone is depressed, it is not all mental, in fact, it leads to a depressed immune function, and they get sick easier, etc. When you are happy, on the other hand, your immune system bolsters, and becomes more effective, which means you are sick less often.

Happiness leads to increased energy levels. It seems like at some point in everyone's life they have felt that giddy, hyper feeling associated with happiness that makes them full of energy and life. While this is an extreme example, studies have shown that happiness will impact and increase energy levels. Often when someone is sad or depressed they have decreased energy and feel lethargic. The opposite is true when someone feels joy.

Happiness can help you live longer: there are a number of different studies that have shown that living a happier life can add years to it. In fact, the common belief is that people who live a relatively happy life, as opposed to a pessimistic or gloomy one, live approximately nine years longer.

So, happiness is certainly tied to your health, so how can you be happy so that you live a healthier life?

So how can you be happy?
Physical fitness is linked to increased happiness. It is a biological response when you work out that you feel happier through the release of endorphins. Often, therapists will prescribe regular exercise to their depressed patients as a form of natural medication.

Cognitive therapy is another way to increase your happiness. It helps you to express your feelings and tap into your joy.

Nurture relationships in order to increase your happiness. Relationships often add to your life and make it more pleasant and give it more meaning. Seek for fulfilling and meaningful relationships and your happiness will increase.

Having a purpose. Most people who do not feel as though life has a real purpose have a hard time being happy. Life is hard, and unless you see a greater purpose to it than existing and not, it can often be difficult to find joy. Whereas, on the other hand, finding greater purpose gives you happiness.