National Forgiveness & Happiness Day: Embracing These Qualities For Overall Health

National Forgiveness and Happiness Day promotes forgiveness and happiness as qualities that can support individuals and communities worldwide. This day is observed annually on October 7th, and it encourages individuals to reflect on the mental health benefits of embracing forgiveness. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to prioritize happiness and cultivate positive emotions.

This annual event allows communities to embrace the qualities of forgiveness, potentially fostering more supportive environments to be understood and valued. The day offers a chance to grow belonging and connection, potentially leading to healthier relationships and increased social cohesion. In addition, embracing forgiveness and happiness can have ripple effects, positively influencing one’s broader community. Learn how to celebrate this non-official holiday. 

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A brief history of National Forgiveness & Happiness Day

Before National Forgiveness & Happiness Day became a global event, it was celebrated as a religious-based holiday founded to promote Christian teachings around forgiveness. In the Christian Faith, individuals often believe their God loves and forgives everyone. When one chooses to forgive oneself and others, one may move forward healthily from challenging situations. More recently, National Forgiveness and Happiness Day has become a global observance beyond religious contexts. The event offers a chance for individuals everywhere to embrace forgiveness and happiness for improved emotional well-being and interpersonal harmony.

Presently, non-profit organizations, volunteers, and individuals interested in the cause come together to celebrate national forgiveness and happiness. The Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting forgiveness worldwide. Through its Champions of Forgiveness page, it shares inspiring stories of forgiveness to encourage individuals to embrace this quality in their lives. 

Various organizations promote the quality of happiness and encourage actions that evoke this quality. On this day, these communities come together in shared support of National Forgiveness Happiness Day, embracing forgiveness as a pathway to happiness, often considered a fundamental aspect of human flourishing.

The day’s celebrations vary, ranging from public events and educational programs to personal reflections and acts of kindness. Regardless of the activity, the overarching theme remains the same: to foster understanding, compassion, and joy within communities based on forgiveness. 

What is forgiveness? 

Forgiveness involves moving on from situations that may have hurt you or caused difficulties. It allows individuals to release challenging emotions like resentment and anger to move toward compassion and understanding. These emotions can benefit overall well-being and may lead to emotional resilience and inner peace. In some cases, forgiveness can lead to happiness. Being happy benefits emotional, mental, and physical well-being, making everyday life experiences more enjoyable and rewarding. 

Embracing happiness for overall health

The state of one’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being can influence how one perceives and engages with the world, often affecting work, home, and social life. Embracing happiness as a quality can have a significant positive impact on everyday life. 

In the 21st century, there is abundant research on happiness, with studies exploring the healing benefits of happiness and ways to become happier. Research shows that increased life satisfaction is linked to physical health. Physical health can seriously impact an individual's quality of life. Happiness is also linked to lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health.

Various factors can contribute to building happiness, including but not limited to exercise, meaningful social relationships, and practicing gratitude. Research shows that physical activity is linked with happiness for people of all ages, highlighting how beneficial exercise can be for overall health during different stages of life. This research pertains to all individuals, whether a parent wants to support their child's happiness or an older adult wants to foster happiness during retirement. For older populations, having high-quality relationships is a factor that can contribute to happiness. 

Practicing gratitude can also be a way to improve mood. Gratitude refers to the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for all aspects of life. For example, you might appreciate a tree in your neighborhood park, a friend’s kindness, or a pair of comfortable socks. Studies have shown that gratitude is linked with higher life satisfaction and happiness. 

Happiness is related to physical, mental, and emotional health. Engaging in activities that support happiness can benefit people on many different levels. Beholding this quality can enhance one’s experience of everyday affairs. Therefore, it can be valuable to integrate activities and qualities that support overall well-being, like exercise, gratitude, and forgiveness. 

The benefit of forgiveness

Forgiveness is a choice to release negative emotions regarding someone who has hurt you or the items and people in your life. You might also practice forgiveness with yourself for acting against your morals or values. Beholding this quality can positively impact mental, emotional, and physical well-being. A single act of forgiveness may go beyond personal well-being and can affect multiple individuals, mend damaged relationships, and empower communities. 

Forgiveness in medical settings 

The National Forgiveness and Happiness Day looks at forgiveness in all scenarios, including in medical settings. Some people may avoid forgiveness until difficult moments in their lives. Nurses in hospital settings may encounter patients who want to forgive or be forgiven at the end of their lives. When one practices forgiveness for others, forgives themselves, or asks God for forgiveness, they may benefit physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

In a medical setting, it can be helpful for nurses to facilitate forgiveness among patients, as research shows forgivers experience lower levels of anxiety, depression, and aggression. Even during difficult times, healing may significantly improve happiness and quality of life. 

Forgiveness in relationships 

People in relationships may also benefit by embracing the qualities of forgiveness. Research shows that forgiveness is linked with partner mindfulness and satisfaction in relationships. Mindfulness may foster a warm, positive atmosphere in the home and help individuals mend a fractured relationship. Relationships are complex and multifaceted. Individuals may move through life together more effortlessly by cultivating understanding and compassion within a relationship. 

Research educates and raises awareness of the healing effects of forgiveness and happiness worldwide, encouraging people to value these qualities in their lives. Individuals can inspire further research in these areas by celebrating National Forgiveness Happiness Day and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to increasing community happiness and forgiveness. 

Celebrate Forgiveness and Happiness Day in your community

Celebrating this global event may encourage the qualities of forgiveness and happiness in your community. Happier individuals may be more inclined to support their local community, so embracing activities that cultivate compassion, understanding, and happiness in your life might be helpful. Below are a few options. 

Acts of kindness

Engage in random acts of kindness, whether you buy someone’s coffee, carry your neighbor's groceries, or write a kind note to your friend. Performing acts of altruism can help people develop compassion, understanding, and empathy, all supportive qualities for someone trying to engage in forgiveness. In addition, studies have found that altruism benefits the giver and receiver’s physical health. 

Gratitude

Practicing gratitude and expressing appreciation for life's little joys can support overall happiness. You can practice gratitude journalling or put out a gratitude jar in community settings where different people can share what they’re thankful for.

The organization of community service projects

Participate in neighborhood and park clean-ups, organize a food drive for a homeless shelter, or plan a community garden project where residents can come together to plant flowers or vegetables, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Date nights

If you’re in a relationship, planning special date nights to connect and strengthen your relationship might be fun. If you have other meaningful relationships, consider organizing group get-togethers where you can participate in fun activities together, such as cooking classes, movie nights, or outdoor picnics. Creating solid friendships can be a foundation for fostering happiness and forgiveness.

Nature 

Spending time in nature or exercising can promote health and happiness. Group hikes or nature walks in local parks or nature reserves allow community members to enjoy the outdoors and stay active together. Meet-ups at your community swimming pool, bay, or beach can be a way to socialize in a nature-oriented environment.

Therapy 

It may be helpful to talk to a therapist to foster forgiveness and happiness in your life. Anyone can go to therapy, and you do not have to have a mental illness to seek support. A therapist can act as a coach and help you analyze difficulties with forgiveness or mood. In addition, they can teach you evidence-based practices for improving daily life. 

If you face barriers to in-person support, you might also consider online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapists are trained professionals who can assist individuals in navigating their mental, emotional, and physical space. Online therapy is an accessible, flexible, and affordable option for individuals seeking guidance. People can arrange appointments according to their schedules at any location with an internet connection. 

Studies show that online therapy can be effective in various areas of mental health. In one study, internet-based interventions were found to be more effective than in-person therapy in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. In addition, the intervention was more cost-effective and led to higher reports of improved quality of life.