Start Seeing the Good: Optimism and How to Change Your Mindset - Research Paper

Introduction

Optimism refers to treating concerns with the high personal ability and a sense of confidence. Optimistic individuals believe that adverse events are temporary, manageable, and limited in scope (Renaud, Wrosch & Scheier, 2018). People can change their optimism levels depending on the circumstances that they are. Shifting from a pessimistic to optimistic mindset is not an easy task. It demands that a person begins thinking positively and trying to see the good in all situations even with the difficult moments. Being optimistic involves stopping making comparisons with other competitively. Every person has special and unique talents that must be valued. Whenever facing a challenge, optimism involves focusing on accomplishing positive results and not anticipating a defeat. Being optimistic also embodies an individual striving for improvement in physical health through a healthy diet, good sleeping habits, hygiene and exercise. Challenging the mind every day through learning new things is part of being optimistic. Optimism makes everyday life better because it gives people better physical and psychological health and better decision-making skills.

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People develop less optimism with ageing. However, the health benefits associated with being optimistic in our lives are significant. An optimistic outlook is equal to good health. Optimism is the belief that people have about positive things happening in the future, for others, themselves, the world and the economy. Over fifty years of research has identified that optimism is an important health issue. Optimistic individuals live longer and remain healthier. Renaud, Wrosch, & Scheier (2018) argue that optimistic people have a stronger immune function, lower pain and stress levels, and better cardiovascular health. Whenever optimistic individuals experience negative health episodes such as orthopaedic surgery, they recover very faster. There is a linkage between being optimistic and improved health outcomes. Optimists understand about their health and ways of being healthy. Knowledge is a vital condition for the maintenance of good health and faster recovery. Unless one knows what makes them healthy, it would be difficult to execute actions to remain healthy. On the same note, optimistic individuals take part in healthier behaviors. Optimistic individuals are less likely to take part in smoking and drink moderately. Optimistic behaviours include more sleep and fewer sexual partners. The healthier actions of optimistic individuals result in positive health results. When facing a challenge, optimistic people use more effective techniques for handling it (Renaud et al., 2018). Regardless of the levels of optimism one has, there will always be challenges. One could be diagnosed with severe chronic illness or suffer an accident. Optimists have more effectiveness in handling traumas or stressors. Optimistic individuals use approach-focused coping methods that depend on the confrontation of an issue straight on and identifying ways of reducing its severity.

Being optimistic involves finding solutions to everyday life challenges. For example, an optimistic individual having cancer spends a lot of time understanding the latest treatment alternatives. After that, the optimistic person seeks and obtains advice from different experts, and diligently selects the best treatment alternative depending on the consultation and research carried out. Optimism involves focusing a lot on the issue itself instead of managing or reducing emotions such as sadness or fear that rises from the challenge. Optimistic people use fewer coping methods of disengagement that ignore the issue. The selection of the approach-focused technique that narrows in on the problem instead of the surrounding emotions helps optimists have greater ownership and self-control (Kim et al. 2019). Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that optimistic people have longer life spans and quality of life even after being diagnosed with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer. Optimistic people also have better social networks, where they receive support even when they have experienced negative health impacts. People have tendencies to liking optimists more than pessimists. Optimists have stronger relationships with friends, fewer negative social interactions and more friends. Optimistic persons have better relationship management practices, and when they encounter difficult situations, they can depend on their social networks to effectively manage their stresses. Even in situations where they do not have enough support, their mentality means they are satisfied with the social relationships that they have fostered.

Optimism affects psychological health. Being optimistic is critical in coping after stressful life actions. An optimistic attitude is connected to better and effective responses to difficult circumstances, from the simpler to more extreme ones. Optimism relates positively with self-esteem and life satisfaction. Having clear thoughts influences one's behaviors and mind. Optimistic people have more dedication to their objectives, and realize more success, have better physical and mental health when compared to the pessimistic (Kim et al., 2019). Therefore, the point is that people should act optimistic, even when they do not feel hopeful. If an individual considers that the future is positive, he or she is willing to invest energy and time in ensuring that comes about. Through being persistent and engaged, even when an individual is not feeling positive, the advantages of optimism such as health and satisfaction come along. These discussions show that optimism makes everyday life better by improving our life decisions and providing us with better physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing.

References

Kim, E. S., James, P., Zevon, E. S., Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Kubzansky, L. D., & Grodstein, F. (2019). Optimism and Healthy Aging in Women and Men. American journal of epidemiology, 188(6), 1084-1091. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric_Kim19/publication/331556294_Optimism_and_Healthy_Aging_in_Women_and_Men/links/5cdda8a9a6fdccc9ddb5245e/Optimism-and-Healthy-Aging-in-Women-and-Men.pdf

Renaud, J., Wrosch, C., & Scheier, M. F. (2018). Optimism. Retrieved from https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/981209/3/Renaud-Optimism-2016.pdf