Unlock the Power of Optimism: How a Positive Outlook Can Improve Your Health and Happiness
Explore the science behind optimism and its impact on physical health. Learn actionable tips to cultivate a positive outlook and reduce stress levels for improved well-being and happiness.
Read Time: <5 minutes.
Content Shared: 1 Podcast, 1 Documentary Trailer, 1 Tedx Talk, 1 book, and some actionable tips!
What If I Told You Optimism Was More Important Than Just Feeling Better?
It can actually have a positive impact on your physical health as well. Research has shown that optimism can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve overall physical health. With the amount of burnout and depression in society right now, we can not ignore this.
Let’s Start With Stress
You’ve probably experienced stress at some point in your life, but when it becomes chronic, it can seriously affect your health. Chronic stress has been linked to several health issues, including heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Fortunately, we have some effective tools for managing stress. You guessed it. Positivity and Optimism
A study from the University of Kentucky found that the higher someone measured on an optimism scale, the lower their cortisol levels. One of the biggest indicators of stress. Like everything tho, we can build the habits that we need to deal with stress. I’ll drop them at the end!
“Tension is a habit. Relaxing is a habit. Bad habits can be broken, good habits formed.”
―William James
One Of The Main Concerns With Stress Is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common health issue that can lead to serious problems like heart disease and stroke. Research has shown that optimism can help lower blood pressure, which in turn can reduce the risk of these health issues.
Much like the stress and cortisol levels, a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh found that people who scored higher on measures of optimism had lower blood pressure than those who scored lower on measures of optimism.
A large part of this is that when you are more optimistic you are more likely to engage in healthy behaviours like exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, which can also help lower blood pressure.
Let’s Get Into HOW You Can Deal With Your Stress
I want to give the floor to Olivia Remes here. In her Ted Talk - How to cope with anxiety - Oliva includes 3 practical things you can do to start dealing with stress and anxiety.
Some Easy Ways To Deal With Stress
Laughing: Laughter has been shown to reduce stress hormones and increase feel-good endorphins, so watching a funny movie or spending time with friends who make you laugh can be a great way to de-stress.
Hugging: Physical touch can release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of love and bonding and can help reduce stress. So next time you're feeling stressed, try giving someone a hug.
Chewing gum: Chewing gum can help reduce stress and anxiety, possibly because it increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the production of certain neurotransmitters. Plus, the act of chewing can be soothing.
Listening to music: Music has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body and can help reduce stress levels. So next time you're feeling stressed, put on some soothing music and let yourself relax.
Colouring: Colouring has become a popular stress management technique for adults, as it can be a meditative and calming activity that helps quiet the mind and reduce stress levels.
And, Of Course, Further Learnings!
It wouldn’t be my newsletter without somewhere to go next!
Lewis Howes: The School Of Greatness - Psychologist On Overcoming Loneliness, Anxiety, and Stress. - Always been a fan of Lewis’s work, and I start most of my days off with his shorter show. This podcast episode is great!
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things From Taking Over Your Life – Richard Carlson - A classic book on dealing with the events life will throw at you.
From Stress to Happiness - My wife and I watched this documentary a few months ago. It was one of my big drivers to start meditating more. Many of you will connect with it on a deep level I’m sure.
Thank You And A Favour
I started to write this newsletter as a hobby project. As a way to try and get more information to more people in long-form content.
It has now grown to over 100 readers and I have all of you to thank!
The main way this newsletter grows is when close friends or family share it with those they love. So if I could spare 30 seconds of your time and ask you to simply share this out to someone you know. Either with this button or copy and paste the link at the top of the page.
If it’s your first time reading. Welcome, you are probably here because someone cares about you and that is something that warms the heart.
Remember to keep practicing positivity, and I’ll see you in the next one!
-Freeman