You have probably had someone tell you to "look
on the bright side" or to "see the cup as half full."
Chances are good that the people who make
these comments are positive thinkers.
Researchers are finding more and more evidence
pointing to the many benefits of optimism and positive thinking. Such findings suggest that not only are positive
thinkers healthier and less stressed, they also
have greater overall well-being. According to
positive psychology researcher Suzanne
Segerstrom, "Setbacks are inherent to almost
every worthwhile human activity, and a number of studies show that optimists are in general
both psychologically and physiologically
healthier." Even if positive thinking does not come naturally
to you, there are plenty of great reasons to start
cultivating affirmative thoughts and minimizing
negative self-talk. Positive Thinkers Cope Better With Stress When faced with stressful situations, positive
thinkers cope more effectively than pessimists. In
one study, researchers found that when optimists encounter a disappointment (such as not getting a job or promotion) they are more
likely to focus on things they can do to resolve
the situation. Rather than dwelling on their
frustrations or things that they cannot change,
they will devise a plan of action and ask others
for assistance and advice. Pessimists, on the other hand, simply assume that the situation is out of
their control and there is nothing they can do to
change it. Optimism Can Improve Your Immunity In recent years, researchers have found that your
mind can have a powerful effect on your body.
Immunity is one area where your thoughts and
attitudes can have a particularly powerful
influence. In one study, researchers found that
activation in brain areas associated with negative emotions led to a weaker immune
response to a flu vaccine. Researchers Segerstrom
and Sephton found that people who were
optimistic about a specific and important part of
their lives, such as how well they were doing in
school, exhibited a stronger immune response than those who had a more negative view of the
situation. Positive Thinking Is Good for Your Health Not only can positive thinking impact your ability
to cope with stress and your immunity, it also
has an impact on your overall well-being. The
Mayo Clinic reports a number of health benefits
associated with optimism, including a reduced
risk of death from cardiovascular problems, less depression, and an increased lifespan. While
researchers are not entirely clear on why
positive thinking benefits health, some suggest
that positive people might lead healthier lifestyles.
By coping better with stress and avoiding
unhealthy behaviors, they are able to improve their health and well-being. It Can Make You More Resilient Resilience refers to our ability to cope with problems. Resilient people are able to face a crisis
or trauma with strength and resolve. Rather than
falling apart in the face of such stress, they have
the ability to carry on and eventually overcome
such adversity. It may come as no surprise to
learn that positive thinking can play a major role in resilience. When dealing with a challenge,
optimists typically look at what they can do to fix
the problem. Instead of giving up hope, they
marshal their resources and are willing to ask
others for help. Researchers have also found that in the wake of
a crisis, such as a terrorist attack or natural
disaster, positive thoughts and emotions
encourage thriving and provide a sort of buffer
against depression among resilient people.
Fortunately experts also believe that such positivism and resilience can be cultivated. By nurturing positive emotions, even in the face of
terrible events, people can reap both short-term
and long-term rewards, including managing
stress levels, lessening depression, and building
coping skills that will serve them well in the
future. Final Thoughts Before you put on those rose-colored glasses, it is
important to note that positive thinking is not
about taking a "Pollyanna" approach to life. In
fact, researchers have found that in some
instances, optimism might not serve you well. For
example, people who are excessively optimistic might overestimate their own abilities and take
on more than they can handle, ultimately leading
to more stress and anxiety. Instead of ignoring reality in favor of the silver
lining, psychologists suggest that positive
thinking centers on such things as a belief in
your abilities, a positive approach to challenges,
and trying to make the most of bad situations.
Bad things will happen. Sometimes you will be disappointed or hurt by the actions of others.
This does not mean that the world is out to get
you or that all people will let you down. Instead,
positive thinkers will look at the situation
realistically, search for ways that they can
improve the situation, and try to learn from their experiences.