How Optimism Can Affect Your Health
Can being an optimist improve your health? A study from the University of Illinois suggests that this may be the case, revealing that the state of your mindset can be critical to your quality of life.
Professor Rosalba Hernandez from the University of Illinois, led a team of researchers to find out if optimists live longer than pessimists. Here's what they found: “Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts...”.
That's a pretty compelling finding.
That's a pretty compelling finding.
Being a pessimist or having a negative mindset can quickly affect all areas of your life, including your health, career, relationships and even your personal hobbies. This is especially true for those who have been programmed from a young age to have a negative or 'not-good-enough' mindset. In your daily life, this could look like intense procrastination, feeling insecure, social anxiety or not sharing ideas at work because you simply don't feel worthy. Longer term, the consequences can be devastating: unfulfilled goals and dreams, depression, perhaps even debilitating illness.
The good news? A pessimistic mindset doesn't have to be something you're stuck with - it can definitely be changed.
The Founder of Tracking Happiness, Hugo Huijer, says that while a portion of our character is based on genetics, the other part can be referred to as 'neuroplasticity'. This means that habits, routines and positive exercises can replace old negative neurons with positive ones!
This is one of the concepts taught by Joseph McClendon III, a renowned personal development expert and a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). His teachings often emphasise cultivating a positive mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs, to be able to life a full and successful life.
Here are 5 tips on developing a positive mindset, based on Joseph McClendon's principles:
The Founder of Tracking Happiness, Hugo Huijer, says that while a portion of our character is based on genetics, the other part can be referred to as 'neuroplasticity'. This means that habits, routines and positive exercises can replace old negative neurons with positive ones!
This is one of the concepts taught by Joseph McClendon III, a renowned personal development expert and a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). His teachings often emphasise cultivating a positive mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs, to be able to life a full and successful life.
Here are 5 tips on developing a positive mindset, based on Joseph McClendon's principles:
1. Embrace Positive Self-Talk
- Tip: Replace negative thoughts with empowering affirmations. Joseph McClendon III emphasises the power of self-talk in shaping our mindset. By consciously choosing to speak positively about yourself and your abilities, you can rewire your brain to focus on possibilities and solutions rather than limitations.
- Practice: Start your day with affirmations that resonate with your goals and values. Repeat them several times a day to reinforce a positive self-image.
2. Visualise Success
- Tip: Use visualization techniques to create a clear mental image of your desired outcomes. McClendon advocates for vivid mental rehearsals where you imagine yourself achieving your goals and experiencing success.
- Practice: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing your success in detail. Engage all your senses in the process to make the vision feel as real as possible.
3. Focus on Gratitude
- Tip: Cultivate a habit of gratitude to shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant in your life. Joseph McClendon III suggests that a gratitude practice helps to reframe challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth.
- Practice: Keep a gratitude journal where you write down three things you are grateful for each day. Reflect on these aspects regularly to enhance your overall positivity.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
- Tip: The people you interact with can significantly impact your mindset. McClendon encourages surrounding yourself with supportive and optimistic individuals who uplift and inspire you.
- Practice: Evaluate your social circle and seek out relationships that reinforce your positive mindset. Engage in communities or groups that share your values and goals.
5. Take Consistent Action
- Tip: Positive thinking is most effective when combined with proactive behaviour. McClendon emphasizes the importance of taking consistent, purposeful actions towards your goals as a way to maintain a positive and productive mindset.
- Practice: Break down your goals into actionable steps and commit to taking small, consistent actions each day. Celebrate your progress and use it as motivation to continue moving forward.
By applying these principles, you can foster a more positive and resilient mindset, empowering yourself to navigate challenges and achieve goals - as well as boosting the health of your mind and body.
Resources:
1. Study: Optimists twice as likely as pessimists to have healthy hearts | PBS News Weekend
2. Here's Why You're a Pessimist (7 Ways to Stop Being Pessimistic) (trackinghappiness.com)
If you'd like to learn more about how you can cultivate a positive mindset for better wellbeing and success, check out our latest LIVE events with Joseph McClendon III and Deepak Chopra on the SR Australia Events page.
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