Power of the optimism
Positive thinking brings many advantages. Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that optimism can affect not only the physical and psychological health, but also improve the quality of life. Optimists can rejoice many advantages.
- Longer life. If you live by the motto “Always look on the bright side of life”, not only will you feel better, but you will live longer. Research in America that involved 100,000 women older than 50 years, was intended to monitor their health on average 8 years. During the study were followed for mortality rate and chronic diseases. The results of this large study showed a link between optimism and risk of cancer, heart disease and early death. Women who were optimistic were 14% less likely to die of whatsoever disease and 30% less likely to die of a heart attack, compared with pessimists. Also, women with positive thinking less suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, and most were smokers.
- Better physical health. Optimism positively impact on physical health. Over 35 years of research, was followed the lives of 99 participants who graduated from Harvard. Before the survey was assessed whether optimistic or pessimistic. After 35 years, when doctors examined their health, found that those who were pessimists had poorer health at age 45-60 years compared with optimists.
- Better emotional health. Positive thinking leads not only to improve the physical, but also emotional health. Research done on hospitalized depressed patients showed that 12-week cognitive therapy to encourage good thoughts, helps patients better cope with depression, compared with drugs. The reason for this conclusion is that the therapy helps patients on long-term plan to reduce depression, unlike short-acting drugs.
- Less stress. Optimists have more faith in themselves and in their abilities. They believe that negative events are small obstacles that can easily be crossed, and that positive events are evidence that would follow and many other good things in the future. Such positive thinking brings less stress than pessimists.
- Major accomplishments. Optimists do not give up so easily as pessimists. They are persistent when it comes to their faith, because they believe that their efforts will pay off. It is this persistence leads to increased chances of achieving greater success.
