The most important factor for happiness revealed

March 20 is the official International Day of Happiness, and even if you’re feeling down in the dumps new research just might’ve cracked the secret to a happy life.

Commissioned by the Cambridge Weight Plan, the research suggests that ‘happiness’ requires a combination of healthy self-esteem, confidence and connection.

The report found that being overweight had a profound impact on mental wellbeing, with 59 per cent of those surveyed suffering from low self-esteem.

Wellbeing Expert Casey Beros, says, “Whilst it¹s not a huge surprise that our hang ups are weight related, the research findings are confronting. Certainly not everyone who struggles with mental health is overweight, and not everyone who’s overweight struggles with mental health, but the research shows there is absolutely a relationship between our weight and how we feel about ourselves – and with 2 in 3 Australians overweight or obese, that’s a huge amount of people who aren’t living healthy and most importantly happy lives.”

On the International Day of Happiness, experts are now encouraging everyday Australians to do everything they can to work on both their mind and their body.

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Beros adds, “When we feel good about ourselves physically, it can lead to us taking greater care of other areas in our life. As the research indicates, feeling depressed can impact the way we socialise, eat, exercise and our relationships. One of the biggest contributors to happiness is connection, and the research showed that not feeling good about ourselves impacts the way we interact with the people we love, whether that¹s socialising with friends or spending time with family, which is a crying shame because this is something we can do something about.”

If you are struggling with low self-esteem, depression or anxiety it is important to seek help by either consulting your GP to find specific information relating to mental health.