Are you happy?

Recent data suggests we’re in need of happiness help. [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( Presented by [Hers]( IN a nutshell Let’s get in touch with our emotions, shall we? It’s the start of Mental Illness Awareness Week, and today, we’re talking about mental health and happiness – or should we say unhappiness. Here’s what you can expect from us on this lovely Monday: • [an emotional epidemic around the world]( • [a cute warming wrap for pain relief]( • [therapy accessibility challenges and tips]( • [more of the health stories you need]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota October 3, 2022 • 6 min read [Unhappiness: The unspoken new epidemic]( what’s got us buzzing [Unhappiness: The unspoken new epidemic]( You’ve probably heard of [income inequality](, but what about happiness inequality? It’s the gap in people’s quality of life — aka the difference between those who report having a great life vs. those who feel things couldn’t get much worse. It’s a real phenomenon — and new research has found global unhappiness has been rising for a decade now. According to a [recent wellbeing survey data from Gallup](, people feel more anger, sadness, pain, worry, and stress today than ever before. Gallup’s Negative Experiences Index shows that unhappiness peaked last year, coming in at 33 points in 2021, compared with 24 points in 2006 (when this annual wellbeing survey began). So what makes for a happy life? Gallup studying the 20% of people who reported having a “great life” and found the top factors in happiness were work fulfillment, minimal [financial stress](, living in “great” communities, good physical health, and a support system of loved ones. While many of these factors are beyond our control (we’re looking at you, world leaders), there are steps we can take [to become happier](, enrich our lives, and maybe inspire others to do the same. Whether it’s exercising more, starting a gratitude practice, or quitting your job, we encourage you to get after the happiness you desire. tl;dr: Research shows the world is unhappier than ever before. Systemic solutions are necessary to make a larger, faster impact, but we can take our happiness into our own hands in some ways, too. Wondering how happy YOU are? Consider taking this [happiness quiz]( to find out. And if you feel comfy, share your results with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. great finds Products we love [Intelex Warmies Animal Wrap]( [Intelex Warmies Animal Wrap]( [Heat therapy]( can relieve chronic pain, inflammation, and stiffness as well as stimulate blood flow and healing. If you or a loved one are dealing with any of the above, cute microwavable heating pads like Intelex’s hippo warmies wrap might make you feel better. (Not a fan of hippos? Intelex makes [sloths](, [dogs](, and other cuddly creatures, too.) This heat wrap meets U.S. safety standards for people of all ages, so it’s great for [back pain](, [headaches](, or [stress and anxiety relief](. Hot tip: These products heat up fast, so be mindful of the temperature before use. Heating pads are generally safe and effective, but they can be dangerous when used improperly. [Here’s]( a list of other precautions to keep in mind so you can score the biggest benefit from them. [Shop now]( Advertisement [Get support for anxiety and depression online through Hers]( Virtually connect with a medical provider to find a treatment plan that is right for you. No insurance required. [LEARN MORE [→]]( [Get support for anxiety and depression online through Hers]( [Folks are skipping therapy to save money]( Monday Kick Start [Folks are skipping therapy to save money]( We already know that therapy can be expensive or inaccessible for people without funds or insurance. But it turns out therapy costs are too high even for folks whose insurance does cover therapy. According to a [survey writeup in the Wall Street Journal](, nearly a third of American adults currently in therapy say they’ve had to cancel a sesh because they can’t afford it. Almost half say they’d need to quit if their out-of-pocket costs increased. Rising [grocery prices due to inflation](, high out-of-pocket costs, and low insurance reimbursement rates are some of the obstacles people face when budgeting for therapy. Whichever boat you might fall into, there are ways to find support – no matter your budget. From sliding scale therapy rates to crisis hotlines and therapy apps, check out our [list of free to low-cost therapy options](. Health Hype Are panic attacks and anxiety attacks the same thing? (Find the answer at the end of this email) health stories you need What we’re reading next [] [Can anxiety make you poop?]( You’re not alone if anxiety poops have ever got your stomach in knots. Well, there’s a reason this happens, and it has to do with the brain-gut connection. [Want more pleasure and deeper intimacy?]( Sex impacts our health in big ways (it can even help you live longer!). But forget about wild positions and techniques: Embodied sex is where it’s at. [What are the 8 hallmarks of cancer?]( These differences between cancer cells and healthy cells may help researchers better understand how and why cancer behaves the way it does. Health Hype Answer Are panic attacks and anxiety attacks the same thing? No! These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re *not* the same thing. [Panic attacks]( happen suddenly, involve intense, overwhelming fear, and feature physical symptoms like a racing heartbeat, nausea, and shortness of breath. They can happen to anyone, and having had more than one in your life is [a sign of a panic disorder](. Although they often feel similar to panic attacks, anxiety attacks aren’t as intense. And unlike panic attacks, anxiety attacks are not listed in DSM-5. They’re considered more of a symptom of other psychiatric conditions, like [generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)](. An anxiety attack may happen as a slow build or immediate response to something that’s nerve-wracking. If you want to learn more about panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks, read our article [here](. Thanks for reading! We’ll be back with more stories on Wednesday. But before we sign off, we want to wish a very happy 86th birthday to Gillian B. who recently shared that she’s been living with cancer since 2011. We’re rooting for you, and we’re so grateful you’re a part of our Wellness Wire family! Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! 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