How many times have you heard someone say, “Hey, cheer up!” or
“Turn that frown upside-down!”? Unconsciously we all seem to
know that optimism is a virtue and that a negative outlook is
something to be concerned about. And did you know that there are
actually a host of concrete reasons why this is so?
Medically speaking, anxiety, anger and stress can all do a lot
of damage to the body. Too much stress has been shown in
research to shorten a person’s life span; in the shorter term it
can wreak havoc on the skin as well as on the internal systems,
including the immune system and other vital organs. Holding
negative feelings inside can even throw the digestive functions
of your body out of whack, too. So you see that a bad attitude
isn’t just something to be waved off or taken lightly—it can
have a significant impact on your health.
On the other hand, people who consistently exhibit a positive
attitude are more likely to stay healthier, look fitter, and
recover faster from any illnesses they do undergo. You may have
heard stories about cancer patients who, seemingly because they
managed to keep up their hope and spirits, somehow survived and
beat their disease. There is certainly something about optimism
that goes far beyond merely being “upbeat” or “perky”—it’s a way
of thinking and a way of living that actually improves your
overall sense of wellbeing.
Unfortunately, many of us are brought up only too familiar with
the negative side of things. We live in a world full of
upsetting events and everyday stresses. The key is to remind
yourself not to let it dictate your emotional state. No matter
what is happening around you, if you can develop your positive
attitude at the core of your being, you will equip yourself to
survive any challenge, any disappointment, any crisis, and any
source of upset.
Make a conscious effort to replace your negative thoughts and
actions with positive ones. Instead of looking at a task and
saying, “It’s impossible,” just commit to doing it and enjoying
the challenge of a job well done. Instead of viewing an illness
as “proof” of how hopeless your life is, look at it as your
body’s way of telling you that something needs to change, and
then work on changing it.
Every hardship, every seemingly impossible thing is actually a
brilliant opportunity for you to show just how far you can push
yourself to accomplish your goals. Expect some curveballs along
the way and accept that they are an inevitable part of life.
Whatever comes your way, exude positive energies to those around
you, and it will be reflected back to you!
About Author :
Anna White is chief-editor and researcher in charge of
SelfHelpCorner.com, a website dedicated to providing you 100%
free self-help information that's practical, cutting-edge, and
immediately useable in your life. To read part two of Anna's
article visit Self
Help Corner
