Research suggests that your attitude can actually influence your health – and it’s not just your emotional well-being that is at stake. A study among 3000 British adults found attitude affects stress hormones and inflammatory markers. An earlier study found pessimistic men have twice the risk of developing heart disease; another study showed pessimists recovered more slowly after heart bypass surgery than their optimistic counterparts. In a long-term study among people with HIV, people who had a more positive attitude lived longer than those who did not.
Good News: Beyond our genes, our attitude is influenced by our patterns of thinking, social relationships and life fulfillment. That is why programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Reflective Happiness have been so successful for participants. Not only do people begin to view the world with a “cup half-full” attitude, but research using MRI brain scans find more activity in areas of the brain associated with an optimistic worldview, thus providing objective evidence to support the survey findings.
Take Action: Enroll in one of these programs or join one of my 3-Day Health Retreats. Learn to reframe your perspective, manage stress better, and focus on things that make you feel good and truly satisfied.
Tags: 6 Pillars of Healthy Living, Common Conditions, Dr. Brad Jacobs, Emotional Well Being, Healthy Aging, Healthy Attitude, Healthy Living Tips, Heart Disease, HIV, Men's Health, Optimistic Attitude, Positive Attitude, Stress, Women's Health