Even though sustained negativity is toxic and bad for your health, many people are still more intrinsically pessimistic than optimistic. Are you, therefore, born with a propensity for pessimism or can you develop the mindset of an optimist?
Apparently, you learn many attitudinal patterns from your parents and become wired toward a certain direction. However, there’s a lot of learning you can do to take control of your outlook on life and keep the pendulum swinging in a more optimistic course.
Some people try lifestyle changes, like meditation, relaxation, and yoga exercises to keep their perspective upbeat and focused on the sunnier side of the spectrum. Others seek professional help through cognitive-behavioral therapy to change their irrational negative thoughts into more logical, hopeful thinking.
To identify where you stand, look at your habitual behaviors and notice how you explain things that happen. If you are more inclined to say things like, “Why do bad things always happen to me?” you are probably more a “glass-half-empty” kind of person. If, on the other hand, you feel bad events are temporary and situational, you lean toward a more optimistic view of life.
Optimism can be learned, according to Martin Seligman, PhD. author of “Learned Optimism”. You can reprogram your brain and nervous system to be free of negative thoughts and to allow in optimism, if you so choose. Just change your explanatory style, telling yourself that things are good, that “this too shall pass” and that things will get better and you will experience more happiness and increase your general sense of positive feelings.
Prolonged negativity is harmful and the more you can maintain a good perspective, the more you will experience positive long-term outcomes over your lifetime.
on Feb 10th, 2010 at 12:23 am
I am fortunate to have always been an optimist. I was not aware that negative people could become optimistic if they were willing to work at it. Thanks for pointing that out.
Phil
(http://www.babyboomerbaloney.com)
on Mar 1st, 2010 at 5:49 pm
There are studies that indicate that we are predisposed to a certain level of “feel good” feelings like happiness and optimism. And this is “hard wired” genetically. I guess I have a hard time believing that any human being cannot learn to be optimistic, happy, or whatever.
However, I will agree that it is a longer “row to hoe” for some than for others. If one’s family of origin was steeped in negative and pessimistic attitudes, then it might take a bit. And the “relapse” over holidays or family gatherings might be an issue. Still, if you have a mind and imagination, you can learn to reset your “optimism” level at will.