Life can throw some pretty tough curve balls sometimes. But even in the darkest of hours, it’s essential to stay optimistic. Regardless of what’s happening around you, being positive in the face of adversity is the best way to weather the storm and the fastest way back to better times.
Studies have shown that having a hopeful, optimistic outlook has benefits that go beyond feeling better in the moment.
- Optimism Improves Your Health
Being positive despite your circumstances has been shown to have a beneficial impact on your health and can even help you live longer!
Researchers have found that optimists tend to take better care of themselves. They live a healthier lifestyle, eating healthy foods, and staying in good physical shape. As well as better general health, optimists have better heart health and are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
Positive thinkers also have good mental and emotional health. They are more resilient and deal with stress better. As a result, they have lower rates of anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Optimism Improves Your Chances of Success
Having an optimistic outlook on life sets you up for greater success. The optimist’s greater resilience and more hopeful perspective mean that they don’t take failure personally and can recover from setbacks more quickly. Optimists are more likely to see failure as a learning experience and move on quickly. Their positive mindset means that they are more flexible in finding different ways to achieve success.
If you’re a person with a positive mindset, you are more likely to go after stretch goals and expect to achieve them. Optimists even have higher salaries. They’re not afraid to ask for what they’re worth. A positive person is more likely to be satisfied with their lives and to be hopeful about future success.
- Optimists have Better Relationships
Positive people have better relationships with their friends, family, and colleagues. Research shows that optimists have more friends and more fulfilling relationships.
Negativity can lead to a focus on the self at the expense of others. If you’re the sort of person who is cheery and hopeful, you’re more likely to attract people and to have positive interactions. The face you show to the world tends to reinforce the kind of interactions you’ll have with others. Happy people evoke happy reactions in the people they meet. A smile will prompt a smile in return; a scowl will repel. Think about how you want to be today. Would you rather be Big Bird or Oscar the Grouch?
A simple change of attitude can turn you into a happier, healthier, more successful you.
