It is vastly beneficial for your health to face life's inevitable obstacles with hope rather than fear. As Shakespeare suggested, "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." To take Shakespeare's proposition further, how one decides to interpret or perceive a life event can impact a person's health more than the event itself.
What are the health benefits of being hopeful? The Mayo Clinic recently reported on the correlation between hopeful thinking and stress management. Researchers found that hopeful thinkers "cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful effects of stress on (the) body". Hopeful thinkers experienced better general health in the form of longer life spans and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, as well as greater achievement, increased determination, and lower rates of depression.
What are the characteristics of hopeful people? According to Elizabeth Scott, About.com Guide to Stress Management, hopeful thinkers view life's hardships as learning experiences. Scott further clarifies, "optimists explain positive events as having happened because of them. They also see them as evidence that more positive things will happen in the future, and in other areas of their lives. Conversely, they see negative events as not being their fault. They see them as being flukes that have nothing to do with other areas of their lives or future events."
How can one develop a hopeful attitude? The Mayo Clinic proposes that people who view the glass as half-empty can take comfort that with time and practice, a new habit of hopeful thinking can take shape.
- Check your inner voice periodically throughout the day. If thoughts are mainly negative, try to put a positive spin on the situation.
- Try not to take yourself too seriously. There are plenty of humorous situations in everyday events even in difficult times. Go ahead and laugh.
- Exercise at least three days a week. Exercise releases endorphins in the body that help to positively affect mood and reduce stress.
- Surround yourself with positive, supportive, dependable people that give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people tend to deplete hopeful energy from others.
- Be gentle with yourself. Some days will be more difficult than others, but do not to say anything to yourself that you would not say to anyone else.
Ultimately, embracing today with hope can generate many health benefits tomorrow.
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