Are you the one who sees the glass as half empty? It’s more than what is in that glass that could be changing about you. Pessimism is not good for your health.

pessimism, pessimistic, survival

What is pessimism? It is a way that we look at the world around us. Every situation has different points of views. Let’s think about running a race but not finishing first. You trained hard but only one person can win. How will you look at the result? You can say that you did your best and will try again next time. Another view would be that you wouldn’t have won anyhow. The latter is the pessimistic view.

Studies have shown that pessimism has been linked to a decrease in physical functioning, mental problems, pains and chronic illnesses. One study at the Mayo clinic followed patients for 30 years. Those who maintained an optimistic attitude had a lower incidence of medical problems than those who viewed the world in a more pessimistic light.
Read the rest of this entry