The connection between health and happiness is well-established, but sometimes personal stories say a lot more than a recap of the latest research. This week, we’re looking at posts from positive people with chronic conditions. Here are a few of our favorites:

01 Blogger Julie Ryan of Counting My Spoons reflects on the importance of celebrating the small victories in 10 Ways To Be Happier Despite Chronic Illness. She also has some strong points about comparing yourself to others.

02 Do not underestimate the power of support. In this inspiring post, blogger Margaret Romero shares how support has enabled her to thrive with her chronic condition. Whether from family or medical professionals, Margaret credits a lot of her success to her support team.

03 In writer Sneha Dave’s post How to Stay Positive When Life Includes a Serious Chronic Condition, she highlights the importance of finding something that makes you happy. For Sneha, it’s philanthropy and giving back, but for many people, it is art or music – the options are endless! She emphasizes how surrounding yourself with some or many activities can be an escape from your illness.

No matter who we are, or what challenges we face, there will be times when life gets us down, but how we react is what really matters. A positive attitude can make all the difference.