Who knew just how powerful positive thinking can be? Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have determined that optimists live longer, healthier lives than pessimists. A new study looked at death and disease rates of women ages 50 and over. They found that women who were optimistic (expecting good things to happen instead of bad) were 14 percent less likely to die from any cause than pessimists after eight years of follow up in the study. Optimists also were less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes or smoke cigarettes, while pessimists were 23 percent more likely to die from cancer. Although the study doesn't prove that negative attitudes cause negative health problems, the results appear to be linked in some way. We all know someone who looks at the glass half empty instead of half full. Maybe that's even you sometimes. But do you notice how those attitudes can start to bring you down and make you feel bad- physically and mentally? Do you notice that you're more successful when you focus on the things you can do instead of what you can't do? When you celebrate the small victories even though you haven't reached your final goal? Do you believe that if you change your thoughts, you can change your life? How do you try to be an optimist in your own life? How do you deal with the pessimists? Do you try to change their way of thinking, or do you just let them be? |
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