5 Benefits of Knowing Your Family History
Did you know that learning about your family history can actually increase your happiness?
How much do you truly know about your family history? Besides the occasional school project that had you research your family tree, you may not have done an in-depth study.
Learning about your family history is important and can reveal many surprising things that you didn’t know. You can either do a genealogy search online or sit down with members of your family and listen to their stories.
No matter how you chose to gather the information, you’ll end up having a deeper appreciation for who you are and where you come from. Here are five life-changing benefits of knowing your family history.
1. It gives you a sense of identity
Nothing is more eye-opening than learning about who you are. Discovering more about your ancestors, celebrating family traditions, embracing your culture, and understanding where you came from can open your eyes to how beautiful and unique you are. It can also give your sense of self-worth and belonging a boost.
2. It makes you more resilient
Let’s face it, life is hard. But back in the day, life was even more so. More likely than not, your past family members probably faced terrible tragedies and heartache. They may have faced things that seem almost impossible to overcome. But they did overcome them. Learning about their stories and how they got through difficult times can give you the courage you need to keep going and make you more resilient when you’re facing challenges.
Related: Your Family Health History Has Lifesaving Information
3. It helps you connect with others
Learning about your family history can impact the way you connect with others because it allows you to connect with people in the past, present, and future. And forming connections with others is crucial to a fulfilling life.
4. It makes you a better human
Your ancestors’ stories can shape you into a more grateful, happy, empathetic, and compassionate version of yourself. For example, you may discover that your great grandfather lived during the Great Depression and that he had to work hard to provide for his family, which may inspire you to work hard as well. Whatever stories are glistening in your treasury of family history, now is the time to unearth them.
Related: How Knowing Your Family History Can Save Your Life
5. It helps you make good health choices
Have you been filling out a patient history form before seeing your healthcare provider and your mind went blank when it asked if cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes ran in your family? Well, to avoid leaving those blank spaces in the future, learning about your ancestors can give you a lot of information on what health concerns run in your family. More importantly, it shows you what you are at risk for. Knowing this information can help you make good choices regarding your health and help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
It's never too late to learn about your family history.
