The Mayo Clinic has released findings of a study they've been working on since the 60's. They tracked 839 people over 30 years to determine if they were optimists or pessimists, and how their outlook affects their health.
Psychologist Martin Seligman says there are at least four ways optimism can affect long-life. First, optimists are less passive and are less likely to develop negative or debilitating responses to things that happen to them. Second, optimists practice preventive health measures because they believe their actions make a difference. Third, Optimists suffer depression at a markedly lower rate then pessimists, and depression is associated with mortality. And finally, optimists immune systems have been shown to function more effectively than pessimists.
Seligman, the author of, "Learned Optimism:How to Change Your Mind and Life," says it's more important to change negative thought patterns into positive ones, than to worry about being optimistic. For example, instead of seeing a set-back as permanent and hopeless, try to see it as a temporary and changeable problem.
So next time someone asks, "Is the glass half-full, or half-empty," really take a moment to give your answer
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