Are There Real-Life Benefits to a Positive Mental Outlook?

Over the years, you always hear about envisioning the glass half full rather than half empty or to “look on the brighter side of things.” The question that comes up repeatedly is “are there any real benefits to being positive?” The short answer is yes and you may be surprised at the difference staying positive makes in one’s life.

There are actual measurable benefits associated with optimism and positivity. Recent research has shown that positive thinkers are able to handle stressful situations better than those who are negative. Also, when something drastically negative occurs such as losing a job, people with positive attitudes bounce back much quicker and show little to no long-term effects of the stress.

Negativity Leads to…

On the other hand, people with negative attitudes are shown to have insomnia, increased fatigue, recurring and frequent headaches, which as you may know can all related to stress. Likewise, lack of sleep has been connected to dementia and Alzheimer’s later in life.

Be an Optimist and Focus on the Positive

Many studies have been run focusing on people who are positive. A notable study was done at Harvard by social scientists. It was a 35-year study tracking 99 graduates from of their 1944-1945 classes. This study tracked them by a having them answer survey. They tracked the candidates until age 60. They found that those who answered the survey in a pessimistic manner faced poorer health than those who were positive from the get-go.

According to the researchers, the study showed that pessimism in early adult hood put the pessimists at risk for health-related issues in middle to late adulthood. A reason they believe that the health risks increased is because in general, pessimism can be related to higher stress. Those with a positive outlook tend to overcome the stress quicker than those with negative outlooks. When stress is left unchecked, the results can be serious. Stress is known to cause increased production of dangerous hormones such as cortisol, which of course was important during humanities early fight or flight days. With continuous stress, the body’s immune system is weakened and bone density loss, a decline in heart health, obesity and even diabetes can be the consequences.

Another Case Study of Positive Thinking

Dr Dennis Charney, dean of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, conducted a study on 750 Vietnam War veterans who were prisoners of war and were tortured. He found that optimism was the key in recovery and among the veterans who did not develop post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, optimism was at the top of a list of ten things that differentiated them from the other veterans who had similar experiences but later suffered mentally. In the study, optimism was followed by selflessness, humor and a belief in a higher power a greater meaning of life – all attributes of those who we view as positive.

Max Gottlieb works with Senior Planning. Senior Planning offers free services designed to help people organize care and/or find senior living.

Are you struggling with having a positive mental outlook? Burbank therapists can help you address thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may affect your mental health. Call us today to find new ways to increasing a positive mental outlook.