“Always look on the bright side of life”, you probably have heard this before.
This is a well-known lyric of a famous song, but what does it mean exactly?
Are you perhaps one of these people who do always look on the bright side of things?
Or are you perhaps, like most of us, going through ups and downs?
Is it possible though to achieve such an optimism mindset, or is it just a daydream, a lie we tell ourselves through our daily struggles?
The answer yes, it’s entirely possible to be an optimist, and it comes with a lot of great benefits.
THE BENEFITS
One of optimism’s most significant benefits is health improvements. Optimism doesn’t merely promote good health; it improves it through a couple of different ways.
- Longevity.
Crazily enough, optimism can help you live longer. The fact that a little swap in your mindset can increase your lifespan seems silly at first, but it’s true.
Studies have shown that people living as optimists and are generally happy about life can live even ten years longer. Even optimists cancer patients have had better health outcomes than the pessimist miserable ones.
- Health.
Optimistic people are maintaining way better bodily health than pessimistic ones. This includes way fewer chances for cardiovascular disease and increased chances for engagement in health-promoting habits such as dieting, sleep schedule, and exercise.
Optimism is shown to boost immune systems and defenses to infections while decreasing the chances of cancer reemergence after treatment.
Also, surveys show that optimists have fewer accidents or take part in events of violence.
On the other hand, studies have linked pessimism with a higher chance of infections, general poor health, and early mortality.
The way pessimism is functions is described as a reverse placebo effect, or “nocebo” for sorts.
Because pessimists think they are vulnerable, not in control, and think about the worst that could happen, they tend to subconsciously make these thoughts reality.
- Mentality.
This is one of the most important benefits of optimism. People who have an optimistic point of view are facing depression less often; they suffer from less anxiety and significantly less stress.
Studies on patients suffering from clinical depression showed that a therapy involving on rewiring a person’s point of view on things had greater results than medications; this therapy is called cognitive therapy.
These same patients have become able to cope better with their trauma or hardships they face through optimism.
- Productivity.
Optimists are productive by default. When someone looks at the good of every situation and sees every problem as an opportunity, all the challenges he faces are like a game to him.
In the workplace, optimism helps you be satisfied with your job, complain less, and try harder.
Optimism promotes productivity, especially on professional athletes. The reason for that is that optimism makes place for hope, which essential in athletic competitions. Studies have shown that hoping for the best makes the athletes achieve better times.
- Self-confidence.
This is another excellent benefit of optimism. Optimistic people tend to believe more in themselves.
Like we mentioned previously, optimists face challenges like an opportunity for growth and embrace them.
Thus, even if they occasionally fail, they unavoidably grow. And when you grow and become better, your self-confidence rises of the roof.
Having the knowledge that you own the strength to overcome the obstacles in your way is an empowering thing, and that’s what optimism is about.
- Grit.
Grit is the essence of success. Optimists are full of grit and preserve, endure, are consistent, and do not fear failure.
Grit is about having the endurance to strive for a long-term goal, to be resilient. To achieve that, you need to never stop trying for the best.
Most people fear to even try for the things they want and chase their dreams. Believing in yourself enough to try to get what you want is a boost by itself.
When trying, you either fail or succeed, but it does not matter. Either way, you are learning and growing to be better the next time.
Having grit means that you persist even when everything seems pointless. Optimists are more likely to succeed because of that, not giving up almost guarantees success.
- Better relationships.
When there is an optimist around, things are always better. Being an optimist will prove a great asset in the human relationships you’ll have in your life, be it in the workplace, friendships, family, or romantic ones.
Studies and surveys have shown that optimists get offered jobs and promotions way more often. Some think that optimism and being positive might even be more relevant and desirable than a good resume when you are looking for a job.
Furthermore, optimism promotes teamwork. Optimists tend to raise the morale of their peers; they signal their positivity outwards and attract people around them.
Additionally, optimists are more desirable as romantic partners.
Becoming an optimist using positive affirmations
By now, you probably think that optimism has a great lot to offer. But how does one become an optimist? Isn’t an inherent thing, a personality trait?
It is not. Optimism is a choice; it is a skill that everyone can train. A great technique to accelerate your progress of achieving an optimistic point of view is the use of positive affirmations.
Positive affirmations can help you to become optimist by rewiring your predispositions and make you see and think about things differently.
Using this practice, you are consciously removing negative thoughts and feelings which limit you in your ventures and prohibit you from enjoying life.
When something good happens in your life, it has the same effect, and it makes you believe you can make more good things happen from now, it’s a validation.
With positive affirmations, you can recreate this effect by telling yourself repeatedly what you want to achieve and what you want to be.
So if you want to enjoy the benefits of optimism yourself, don’t lose time. To become an optimist using techniques like positive affirmations requires time and consistency.
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