A happy heart is the best medicine (Proverbs 17:22)

bible verse

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22)

meaning

Happiness leads to good health.

origin and application

Medical research has often shown that a cheerful heart can speed up the recovery of patients, especially cancer patients. This saying is not new to Bible readers, because the Proverbs already tells us so: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
This verse is popular in literature on patient care. In my service with the Hospital Chaplain, patients often find a lot of comfort and encouragement upon reading this verse at their lowest point in life.