Attitude is defined by Princeton University's online dictionary, WordNet, as "a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways" A good attitude has the power to inspire and motivate and can be tremendously important to having a well-rounded, happy life. According to the Mayo Clinic, the traits of optimism and pessimism can affect your wellness and quality of life.
Benefits of Positive Thinking
According to the Mayo Clinic, "Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include increased life span lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress." The Mayo Clinic also asserts that there are many theories as to why good attitude affects health, but the evidence it does is clear.
Weight Loss
Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic Diet says that many people aren't successful in losing weight due to their inability to go into a diet or exercise program with a positive attitude. Instead of heading into your weight-loss program with a negative attitude, Hensrud says, "focus on the positive aspects of undertaking lifestyle changes that can lead to better weight management...For example, many people find that when they were more physically active, they felt better." With a positive attitude and motivation, weight loss is sure to follow.
Health and Recovery
According to the American Heart Association, a positive attitude is crucial in successfully surviving a stroke. In order to get past the traumatic event and the physical and emotional limitations it can leave you with, having a good attitude that's focused on the freedoms, health and abilities you have left will help you cope. Stroke survivor Art Gottlieb says: "...Successful survivors are those who can accept the reality of their new situation with a positive attitude."
Job Satisfaction
The Mayo Clinic says that when your job is starting to feel monotonous, stressful or even catastrophic, changing your pessimistic attitude to a more optimistic one can help increase satisfaction with your job. Rather than heading into work with dread, approach a stressful situation or an unfriendly coworker with positive thoughts and well-meaning words and actions. Ultimately, trying to see the positive in the otherwise negative will help you enjoy your job and delight in the challenges ahead.
Stress
Stress can be one of the most debilitating factors in your busy life. Having an optimistic attitude about life helps keep it under control. In order to manage stress, coming at challenges and hardships with a good and healthy attitude can help. According to the Mayo Clinic, a positive attitude can be attained easily. You can start by deciding first whether your thoughts are primarily negative, exercising and eating well, laughing more and "surround[ing] yourself with positive people in positive atmospheres."
References
- Princeton University; WordNet: A Lexical Database for English
- "Mayo Clinic Diet"; Positive Attitude Key in Tackling Weight Loss; Dr. Donald Hensrud; Jan 13, 2010
- "American Heart Association"; The Secrets of Successful Stroke Survival; February 2004
- "Mayo Clinic Stress Management"; Positive Thinking: Reduce Stress, enjoy life more;
- "Mayo Clinic Adult Health"; Job Satisfaction: strategies to make work more gratifying
