In such difficult times it is possible to understand why we are so susceptible to negative thoughts. But this can be quite harmful, as new studies show, since the negativity has great influence on the development of diseases. On the other hand, we can also point out several benefits of optimism to health. Check out!
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How does optimism help you live longer?
Researcher Hayami Koga, from Harvard University, recently published a study in the Journal of the American Society of Geriatrics that shows the relationship between optimism and longevity. According to Koga, focusing on negative issues can have real consequences for our health as a whole.
On the other hand, positive thoughts will work as a kind of fuel, capable of keeping us moving and generating more disposition. Thus, in the long term, someone's optimism can be an important factor in maintaining overall health and, consequently, longevity.
That's because our thoughts exert an important influence on the performance of our brain, decreasing or increasing stress and anxiety. As a consequence, negative thoughts can generate cardiovascular problems, respiratory diseases, stomach problems and even cancer.
How to be optimistic?
Perhaps the big question is not exactly how optimism helps us, since the relationship is evident, but how to actually develop optimism. After all, the news in the newspapers and even our day-to-day experience tend to generate a discouragement that is very difficult to fight.
So much so that Koga already shows in his study how the most optimistic people are those with the lowest level of information. With this, a conflict can arise between the need to stay on top of what is happening in the world and to stay positive and healthy.
In this case, it is important to remember that there is also a lot of good being done and that there is always hope. Furthermore, positive thinking is also a daily exercise, and some tools like psychotherapy can help you deal with negative thoughts and think more courageously.