How Does Optimism Affect Your Health?

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty? Your outlook on life can affect your health. Learn more about the effects of optimism as you look forward to a new and healthier you in 2016.

Optimism Improves Achievement

Whether you’re trying to follow a low-fat diet or exercise every day, you can’t achieve your goals with a negative attitude. Being optimistic improves your positive synergy, productivity, success and ultimately your achievement.

Optimism Improves Longevity

U.S. study found that the death rate of pessimistic people is 42 percent higher than the death rate of optimistic people. A Dutch study also found that optimists are 55 percent less likely to succumb to cardiovascular disease than pessimists. Optimistic Hall of Fame baseball players in the first half of the 20th century lived longer than the pessimistic players. Being optimistic also helps breast cancer patients recover and allows seniors to remain independent longer. As an optimist, you may experience longevity and live longer, too.

Optimism Improves Emotional Health

A group of clinically depressed patients responded better to cognitive therapy than to drugs in one study. They also experienced better long-term changes. If you want to experience improved emotional health, consider the benefits of optimism.

Optimism Improves Physical Health

If you want to be physically healthy and live longer, try optimism. A study of 99 Harvard University students compared the physical health of optimists and pessimists. The people who were optimists in their 20s were healthier than the pessimists when they reached middle age.

Optimism improves heart conditions, too. When compared to optimists, pessimists are three times as likely to develop hypertension, twice as likely to develop heart disease, three times more likely to have heart attacks and twice as likely to need re-hospitalization after heart surgery.

Studies show that optimists also experience reduced adrenaline levels and improved immune function. They typically smoke less and exercise more than pessimists, too. As an optimist, you can experience better overall physical health thanks to your positive attitude.

Optimism Improves Your Reaction to Stress

You can’t stop challenging situations from occurring, but your outlook can affect how you respond to these moments. Instead of cowering in negativity, respond with confidence.

Optimism and stress reduction go hand in hand. High stress levels that remain elevated over time increase your body’s production of cortisol. It’s the hormone our bodies produce in response to stress. It can help you deal with intense situations.

Unfortunately, cortisol levels stay high when you experienced prolonged times of stress. Elevated cortisol levels inhibit insulin’s ability to process glucose, increase appetite and weight gain, lower your body’s ability to fight infections and reduce muscle and bone development.

Lower your cortisol levels when you eat a balanced diet and exercise. You can also boost your Vitamin C and folic acid intake and take herbs like Golden Root, Holy Basil, Dong Quai and astralgus. Relaxation and stress management are also beneficial ways to reduce cortisol, and those are two characteristics of optimists.

Being optimistic can take you far in life. It certainly will assist you in having a healthier 2016. Are you ready to embrace a positive outlook today?

XOXO Tina