The idea that having a positive mental attitude will help us at work โ and in our lives generally โ has been with us for decades. There is now a body of evidence that optimism can help us in many ways. Dr Sally Norton, Founder of vavistalife.com explains further
Many people see positivity as a genetic trait โ something they are either born with or not. In the same way that we might talk about our eye colour or height, many of us will describe ourselves as naturally optimistic or pessimistic. However, in the same way that we can train our brains to appreciate healthy food, we can train ourselves to have a more positive outlook on life.
When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, your circumstances, or even about others, STOP! Instead, force yourself to think of three positive things instead; there will always be something. If you persevere, it will become a habit. Itโs well worth the effort โ the benefits of being more optimistic are now being recognised in numerous studies.
Here are just a few of them.
Improved heart health
A study from the University of Illinois found that those people who were most optimistic were twice as likely to be in ideal cardiovascular health compared with their pessimistic counterparts, with significantly better blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Not only this, but the optimists were also more likely to be physically active and have healthier BMIs.
More likely to succeed
You might think that succeeding would lead you to feeling happier, but in actual fact it works the other way around. Studies show that a positive outlook will increase your chances of success. For example, did you know that three quarters of our success at work is linked to our optimism and how well we manage stress, rather than our IQ? And being positive could help you to achieve better results in smaller tasks โ in fact, studies have shown that people who are encouraged to think positively before a math test actually did better than others.
Stress in the workplace triggers our โfight or flightโ response, which can lead us to focus more on a particular threat. Practising optimism and identifying what we can do to have a positive impact on a situation helps to interrupt that response, letting us think more broadly and have a sense of control.
Better chances of ditching the junk food
Struggling to lose that last half a stone? We all know that when weโre feeling negative we instinctively turn to sugary and fatty foods that will give our bodies a quick burst of energy and feel-good hormones. However, this is swiftly followed by a crash in our blood sugar โ leaving us feeling even worse than before. These junk foods also do little to help us lose any weight, adding to those negative feelings that left us reaching for them in the first place! So instead, try focusing on the positives โ think about how hard youโve worked and how good youโll feel when you finally reach your goal weight, and youโll find those negative yearnings soon dissipate.
More likely to stick with your fitness goals
Thinking about fitness in a negative way will make you more likely to bail at the first opportunity. Studies show that a positive frame of mind helps people to stick with their fitness regimes as well as their healthy eating goals. Once you get exercising, that positivity is helped even more by the endorphins that activity releases. If the thought of heading to the gym leaves you feeling miserable, then ditch the gym! Try finding different ways you could keep fit โ fitness classes, swimming, or brisk walks in the fresh air. Thereโs something out there for everyone, and when youโve found an activity that you really enjoy those positive feelings will make you more likely to stick with it for the long haul.
Ways to be more optimistic?
You may want to keep a journal to record the positive things in your life. Even when things are going badly there are normally some aspects that still make you happy and it can be helpful to reflect on those from time to time. Try walking around your home and/or office looking at the people and things you care about, or recording three good things that have happened at the end of each day.
Do good deeds and recognise others for theirs. Finding ways to help your colleagues and friends can positively change someone elseโs day and your own.
Dr Sally Norton MB ChB, MD, FRCS is an NHS Consultant and Weight Loss Specialist. She is the Founder of vavistalife.com. Sally was the first female weight-loss surgeon in the UK and has been working in the NHS for 25 years. She serves on the Council of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society and is an ambassador in campaigning for a healthier Britain. Twitter: @DrSally_Vavista
