Optimism, A Health Tonic

A definition of an OPTIMIST and PESSIMIST:- "Two men look at a half filled glass. To one it's half full, to the other it's half empty".

If you're placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to enter again?

In life, there are always choices. You may opt to have a pessimist's view and live a self-defeating life or you may decide to take the optimist's route and enjoy a challenging and fulfilling life.

So why nurture an optimist's point of view? And why now?

Optimism is linked to positive mood and good morale in all walks of life, as well as popularity, good health and even long life.

On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. Depression affects middle-aged adults in the same way it afflicts younger people. It is no longer the preserve of the middle-aged but a teen-ager's problem as well.

This is how optimists act and research explains why it pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best.

The defining characteristic of pessimists lies in the fact that they tend to believe bad events will last a long time and undermine everything they do. The also believe it's their own fault.
The truth is that optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they treat their misfortune from the opposite perspective of pessimists. They look on defeat as a temporary setback, to be overcome.

Optimists also focus on and plan for the 'problem' at hand. They use 'positive thinking'. In other words, they will reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them to learn and grow. Such people are unfazed when things go wrong. They perceive them as a challenge and try harder.

They don't say "things will never get better", "If I failed once, it will happen again" and "If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life".

Positive expectations of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turns of events. If they fail, they know next time they'll succeed. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.

People respond positively to optimists.

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. People are usually drawn towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence their friends and colleagues.

Optimism is a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread doom and gloom are unpopular.

In life, optimistic people often win elections and are voted the most congenial and sought after for advice.

When the going gets tough, optimists become tougher.
Optimists typically maintain higher levels of well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with them. Pessimists are more likely to give up when difficulties arise.

Optimists persevere. They don't give up easily and are also known for their patience as they inch their way a step closer to that goal or dream.

Optimists are healthier and live longer.
Medical research has confirmed that simple pleasures and a positive outlook on life can cause a measurable increase in the body's ability to fight disease.

Optimists' health is unusually good. They age well and do not experience the usual physical ills of middle age. They also tend to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.

So why not be an optimist today? Think positively towards a more fulfilled life.

Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Be resilient! Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don't just stay there. Pick yourself up and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. Encourage others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life on the bright side.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Self Help
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