Reasons To Be Optimistic in 2012

Many of us begin the New Year thinking about ‘resolutions. This year I wanted to start my New Year off by thinking about ’optimisms’ instead of ‘resolutions.’ Optimism seems to have lasting benefits throughout the year.
Optimism is the tendency to expect good things will happen. It can be interchanged with the word ‘hopeful.’ The opposite of optimism is pessimism. Pessimism is the tendency to expect that bad things will happen. It can be interchanged with the word ‘gloomy.’ As children we are naturally optimistic, but can learn to be pessimistic when asking lots of ‘Why’ questions. If our caretakers or teachers have a pessimistic view, when answering our questions, we can learn to view things pessimistically. How we talk to ourselves about the negative experiences that happen in our lives, is what determines if we are optimistic or pessimistic.
Optimism can have a big effect on our mental health, physical health and our success in life. Martin E.P.Seligman, Ph.D., author of Learned Optimism How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, says that optimism protects against depression. ** Dr Tali Sharot at the University of New York’s research validated this by demonstrating depression was caused by abnormal activity in the same part of the brain that regulates optimism.
Depression and stress have been shown to lower our immune system functioning, which can make us more susceptible to illnesses. Optimists tend to get sick less and recover quicker from illnesses. Research done by Dr. Rasmussen, Dr. Scheier and Dr. Greenhouse in 2009, found that “Optimism was a significant predictor on positive physical health outcomes.” *
The benefit to optimism that encouraged me the most was its positive effects on our long term success. Elizabeth Scott, MS found that optimists don’t give up as easily as pessimists when experiencing failure. She says optimists bounce back and begin trying almost immediately. They see failure as a minor setback to be overcome. Pessimists tend to defined themselves by their failure and tell themselves ‘I am a failure and there is no point to try.’ *** Dr Seligmans research found that the 3 determinants of success are optimism, motivation and aptitude (innate ability to learn quickly).
Can we change the way we think to become more optimistic? Yes we can! We can always change the way we think about things, if we are willing.
Here are some effective strategies to increase optimistic thinking:
1. Intentionally look for good in everyone and everything. Both exist.
2. List at least 10 things you are grateful for each day.
3. When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, replace the thought with a positive affirmation ( such as: ‘I am equipped to handle everything life brings me”).
4. Read something uplifting each day.
5. Listen to music that inspires you and puts you in a good mood.
6. Look at something beautiful and admire it
7. Do enjoyable activities on a consistent basis to increase your contentment with life.
8. Be around positive people often
9. Make a list of things to be optimistic for in 2012 and put it somewhere you can read it often, to reinforce optimistic thinking.
May the New Year bring you more physical health, more mental health and more success as you optimistically experience it!
written by Elisabeth Davies, MC