Optimism & Your Health

By Dick O'Brien M.A.S.c

It seems to me that the most popular attitude today is to be a pessimist. The government, stock market and the economy all can be discouraging and give the impression that pessimism is the more realistic option.

I have also discovered that while it may be popular a pessimistic attitude is just not very good for your health. It can impact our natural healing, immunity and personal spirit, work life and family.

Optimistic people on the other hand seem to have an edge on life.

They deal with surprise and setback better. They heal faster and seem to get sick less often. On top of this they seem to be more encouraging of others and add to the enjoyment of any day.

At times, though, it can be a struggle to be an optimist. It seems that if you are an optimist today, no body will eat lunch with you!

Lets take a look at what seems to work for them.
Optimists don't wear rose-colored glasses.
They don't expect good things will always happen.
They do; however, expect that they will find the good in what ever happens.
Optimism is not a Pollyanna view of life but is the true sense of reality. It is a choice about life!
Too many people are discouraged, worried, vulnerable and tapped out.
I have found that pessimism and optimism are attitudes and choices.
They do not alter the circumstances.
They do affect our response to the circumstances - and this is what counts

"It takes far more courage to persist in the face of difficult times than it does to collapse in its wake."

If you have never visited the valleys the view from the mountaintop is not as breathtaking.

I learned a long time ago - No Rain No Rainbows - Just don't get it! What about being a realist? In the final analysis both the optimist and the pessimist will be proven right. The only difference is going to be the life lived in between.

There are many simple and readily available things we can do to regain perspective and spirit in a stressful moment. We just don't have the eyes to see. We have lost some of the more natural means of peace in our lives.

I began to notice in other people that they had developed ways of bringing their attention back to something healthier. In other words, they learned how to be optimistic and brought this attitude to their life, health, work and family.

In future articles I will describe some of the principles and strategies that will allow us to cultivate a more optimistic and realistic attitude toward life. I will show how with a little reflection and some minor change in perspective we can bring more optimism, health and spirit back to our lives.

Return to the Resources List