How social networks influence health (i.e. smoking, obesity, alcohol use, fitness, happiness, loneliness) is an interesting question. It’s hypothesized that “health behaviors spread partly through the subconscious social signals we pick up from those around us”, a form of emotional mirroring. For example, if you want to be happy, it appears that having many connections and daily exposure to many small moments of contagious happiness is key to improving personal happiness. In other words, good health (in this instance – happiness), is a product of your proximity to other healthy (and happy) people.
So, can we hypothesize that if you want to live a more physically active life having daily exposure to moments of contagious physical vitality and physically active people can make changes in your personal exercise and activity behaviors? Why not? I know that physically active and vital individuals inspire me, and in turn, my physically enthusiastic life and contact with others spread the impetus for a physically active lifestyle.
I believe we can each influence 1,000 other people to live a more healthful, physically active, and full life…so Pass it on! Make it viral!
Read more about contagious health behaviors –
I totally agree!!
I have always been fit since childhood, and I credit this as being a large part of the reason why I am The Happiest Person I Know. I have also seen whole groups of women I have come into contact with on a regular basis, go off and join gyms or start similar exercise programs. It's the "I'll have what she's having" syndrome.
Live Life Happy!