“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” ~ Chuck Swindoll, Pastor, Educator, and Speaker
Being optimistic is associated with lower blood sugar and cholesterol. A review of 15 studies with over 200,000 participants found a 35% lower chance of getting heart disease and a 14% less chance of early death in people who were optimists.
Laura Kubzansky of Harvard School of Public Health noted “It looks like there is a benefit of positive mental health that goes beyond the fact that you’re not depressed.” In a 2007 study, Kubzansky followed more than 6,000 men and women aged 25 to 74 for 20 years. The protective effect of emotional vitality was distinct and measurable, even when considering good habits such as not smoking and regular exercise. Kubzansky has found that optimism cuts the risk of coronary heart disease by half.
Researchers analyzed data from over 150,000 women ages 50–79, collected as a part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). They found that the most optimistic women lived, on average, 5.4% longer (approximately 4.4 years) than the least optimistic women. The most optimistic women were also more likely to achieve exceptional longevity, defined as living over 90 years. These trends were consistent across all racial and ethnic groups.
Not everyone is a naturally born optimist. If you tend to see that glass half-empty rather than full, do not fret. Here are three strategies you can employ to become more optimistic.
The Best Possible Self technique: Spend five minutes a day imagining the best possible future for yourself.
Keep a Gratitude Journal On a daily basis (nice times are first thing in the morning or at the end of the day), count your blessings. Make it a goal to jot down at least five things you are thankful for.
Spend time with happy, optimistic people. Who you spend the most time with is important because behavior and attitude can be contagious.
Resources: JAMA, NIH, HeartandStroke.ca, Psychology Today
