Optimism

Nobody Said Parenting Was Going To Be Easy.

Let’s have a little chat about OPTIMISM.

First off, let’s define optimism.

Optimism is defined as: an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome (Merriam-Webster) OR a feeling that good things will happen and that something will be successful (Oxford).

Nowhere in the definition does it state that optimism means that “Life is going to be nothing but RAINBOWS and UNICORNS from here on out.”

What is does state is that you take a positive outlook.

The antithesis of optimism is PESSIMISM. Defined as:  an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome; the doctrine that reality is essentially evil; the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life (Merriam-Webster) OR a feeling that bad things will happen and that something will not be successful (Oxford).

Here’s a fact. Honest…TRUE FACT: Being pessimistic is terrible for your health and longevity. In a study by BMC Public Health they found that pessimists were 2.2 times more likely to die from coronary heart disease. Another 11 year long study looked at 2,267 men and women between the ages of 52 and 76 were presented with six statements — either positive or negative — and asked to rate how well the statements applied to them.  During 11 years of follow-up, 122 people died from coronary heart disease (CHD). “Those who died from CHD were significantly more pessimistic at baseline than the others,” the researchers noted.

Having an optimistic outlook

can also reduce the risk of developing one of the major risks for cardiovascular disease — hypertension.

Let’s get back to OPTIMISM.

Having an optimistic outlook can change everything in your life.

Here’s a list of things (medically proven) that change with optimism:

1) Your risk of hypertension is lowered.

2) Your chance of re-hospitalization post major surgery is lowered.

3) You are less likely to contract common respiratory viruses.

4) Your ability to stay healthy for a longer period of time is increased.

5) Your overall longevity is increased.

All of this can be found in this Harvard University Research paper.

6) Optimists experience less distress than pessimists.

7) The likelihood of in-vitro fertilization having a positive outcome is increased.

8) Symptoms of depression are lowered.

9) The likelihood of having a rich and fulfilling life is increased.

All of this can be found in this Optimism Study.

So…how do we go about developing or exercising our OPTIMISM?

Well, first off…find PURPOSE Find a purpose in your work and your life.

“When we work with purpose or live with purpose, we feel more fulfilled and better equipped to see the glass ‘half full.’” says Leah Weiss, Ph.D, a Stanford professor specializing in mindfulness in the workplace. 

We have to approach setbacks and hardships in a different way. Instead of using the old “Why me?” attitude, we should look at it as “Why not me? How can I turn this situation into something that will be beneficial for me?”

So how do we change the way we look at a situation? Well, one very good and simple way is to practice mindfulness and to meditate. When we have a meditation practice we are more equipped to control our thinking.

Another way to become more optimistic is to take an inventory of the company you keep. If you are surrounded by pessimistic people every day, the likelihood of changing your outlook is decreased immensely. That doesn’t mean you sever ties with the negative people in your life entirely, it just means to limit your interactions. Don’t allow them to infect your optimistic outlook.

Journal. It is a fantastic way to become more optimistic. Start a Gratitude Journal. Each day write down 10 things you are grateful for. Just 10 things. You will begin to see just how full your life truly is.

Recognize your negative self talk. Let’s say your co-worker gets a promotion…and heaven forbid…you don’t. Recognize when you start to talk badly about yourself, your abilities, your personality. When you become aware of this, argue with yourself. Seriously, argue with yourself. Have a heated, dirty conversation with your negative self. Fight for yourself!

Put things in perspective. Now, I know this one is a little loaded…but try it. Yes, you walked out of your house this morning and found that you had a flat tire. This could ruin your day. It could become the most terrible day of your life. OR, you could realize that you walked out of YOUR HOUSE! You could realize you walked out of YOUR HOUSE to get in YOUR CAR to go to the JOB that you have to bring MONEY HOME to your FAMILY. Are you catching on?

Use these suggestions.

Practice…truly PRACTICE cultivating optimism in your life.

Not only will you feel better emotionally, you will physically be better off.

Quite a double whammy if you ask me!