Having a good attitude doesn't require thinking that everything is coated in gold. A good attitude comes when a person makes a determined effort to assume that everything happens, and will happen, for the best. People who are naturally inclined to be cheerful don't escape stressful and sad events, but their optimism carries them through the stress and sadness. As fortune would have it, optimistic people are on to something. Having a good attitude is now scientifically connected with improved health and increased chances of lifelong success.
Improved Health
Research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that pessimistic people who learned good attitude tips through cognitive coping classes had fewer health problems and took better care of their bodies than pessimistic people who did not take the classes. Furthermore, people who took the classes experienced less depression than their counterparts when researchers followed up with them 18 months later. This study indicates that anyone, whether through innate ability or structured learning, can reap health benefits from having a good attitude.
Increased Chances of Success
Optimists generally have higher levels of mental and physical functioning, according to Dr. Toshihiko Maruta of the Mayo Clinic. This improved functioning can extend to the rest of a person's life. Having a good attitude can conceivably bring you quality friendships, a good job and monetary wealth, if that is what you seek. An optimist and a pessimist might fail the same amount of times, but their responses to hurdles will determine future successes. A pessimist might readily give in to defeat, but a person who is optimistic will be more likely to try again if initial attempts at success do not pan out.
Delayed Aging
A study at the University of Texas, published by "Psychology and Aging," assessed the health of a group of volunteers. At the beginning of the study, all of the volunteers were at about the same good health level. However, seven years later, they found that the people with a positive outlook were less likely to exhibit signs of frailty, such as weight loss, slowed walking pace, lost strength and lower energy levels, than people who were pessimistic. Another study in the same journal suggests that older people who are exposed to negative stereotypes associated with being old (words such as "senile" and "feeble") are more likely to have problems with memory performance tests than older people who are fed positive stereotypes (words such as "accomplished" and "distinguished.") These studies pave the way for further studies linking positive mentality with graceful aging and potentially an extended lifespan.
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