How does Optimism affect Mental, Physical and Emotional Health?

 

Optimism And Health

 

optimism and health

 

How does Optimism Affect Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health?

Optimism is a mental attitude characterized by hope and confidence in success and a positive future. Optimists are those who expect good things to happen, where pessimists instead predict unfavorable outcomes. Optimistic attitudes are linked to a number of benefits, including:

·        better-coping skills

·        lower stress levels

·        better physical health

·        higher persistence when pursuing goals

Optimists tend to view hardships as learning experiences or temporary setbacks. Even the most miserable day holds the promise for them that "tomorrow will probably be better."

If you always see the brighter side of things, you may feel that you experience more positive events in your life than others, find yourself less stressed, and even enjoy greater health benefits.

Optimism and Mental Health

Optimism affects how people react to stressful life events. Specifically, people who are more optimistic are at less risk for anxiety and depression after something stressful happens to them. If you think that the world is inherently good, and that life will work out in your favor, you're more likely to rate your own health and sense of well‑being as better. 

Best of all, it doesn't matter where you live or what language you speak: These statistics came from a study of more than 150,000 people living in 142 countries. But optimism doesn't just make you feel healthier it can actually make you healthier.

Optimism and Physical Health

A recent Harvard School of Public Health study found that positive psychological well‑being, which includes self-acceptance and positive relations with others, is linked to improved heart health. However, having an optimistic attitude was the biggest predictor of all: People who tend to look on the bright side have fewer heart problems, such as cardiovascular disease.

They also have better cholesterol readings: In a separate survey of nearly 1,000 middle-aged men and women, those who reported higher levels of optimism had lower levels of triglycerides or less fat in the blood.

If you expect that you'll live into old age, you increase your chances of actually doing so. An analysis of the health and hope of nearly 100,000 women by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that over an eight-year period, optimists were less likely to die from all causes than cynics.

 

Optimism and Emotional Health

Research suggests that cognitive therapy (Which involves reframing a person's thought processes) can be as effective or more effective than antidepressant medications in the treatment of clinical depression.

Such improvements also tend to be long-lasting, suggesting that they are more than a temporary fix. People who have this training in optimism appear to become better able to effectively handle future setbacks.

Ways To Become an Optimist

•       Always think positive

•       Focus on your success

•       Focus on positive objects

•       Don’t try to predict the future

•       Surrounds yourself with positivity

•       Challenge negative thoughts

•       Keep a gratitude diary

•       Focus on the solution rather than a problem

•       Don’t dwell on the past

Optimists experience less depression and anxiety, and an optimistic explanatory style can alleviate depression and help prevent relapses. According to psychologist Martin Seligman, depression is often accompanied by a pessimistic explanatory style: we tend to blame ourselves for misfortune, believe it’s permanent, and believe it affects all areas of life. 

Depressed people also exhibit learned helplessness, the feeling that they’re not in control of their lives (which leads to passivity). In contrast, optimism brings a sense of agency and confidence, and with it less despair and hopelessness.