it's TIME for some optimism: the scientific pros of positivity

 

 

When I spotted the June 6 issue of TIME on the shelf at the airport magazine stand, I was instantly intrigued by the cover's bold title: The Science of Optimism. Written by Tali Sharot, author of The Optimism Bias, the article takes a scientific look at why our brains lean toward positivity in spite of the all of the negativity around us. According to Sharot, "The belief that the future will be much better than the past and present is the optimism bias." It's because of this that, though we can collectively grow pessimistic, "private optimism, about our personal future, remains incredibly resilient." 

As Sharot argues, "overly positive assumptions can lead to disastrous miscalculations...but the [optimism] bias also protects and inspires us; it keeps us moving forward rather than to the nearest high-rise ledge." Though viewing everything through rose-colored lenses can actually be a negative thing, focusing more on the positive actually has quite a few scientific benefits. According to the article, here are some of the benefits for those embracing an optimistic outlook: 

 

The Benefits of an Optimistic Outlook 

• Optimists are motivated to pursue goals because they can imagine alternative, better realities and believe these realities can be achieved. 
  
   
• Optimists earn more money (probably because they work longer hours) -- and they also save more money too. 
  
   
• Optimists are not less likely to divorce, but they are more likely to remarry (which is, as the article says, "the triumph of hope over experience").
  
   
• Optimists are more likely to have less stress and better physical health. They are more likely to take vitamins, eat low-fat diets, and exercise and, as a result, typically live longer. 
  
   
• Optimists have a chance to live longer. In a study of cancer patients, pessimists were more likely to die within 8 months than their more optimistic counterparts. 
  
  
  
• Optimists expect positive things to happen -- and, even when positive things don't happen, optimists tend interpret misfortunes in a positive way. 
  
  
  
• Optimists value and affirm their decisions so their lives are not filled with second-guessing and constantly wondering, "What if....?" 

 

From personal experience, I know there are a lot of benefits for being positivity. Really, if I'm completely honest with myself, embracing the idea of a more positive attitude (even if I admittedly don't always put it into practice) has changed my life immensely for the better. Since I started focusing on positivity (aka, when I created Positively Present back in February 2009), I've reaped tons of rewards in my life. Here are just a few of the things that have happened to me since I made optimism a priority in my life: 

 

My Personal Positivity Pros 

• Though I am a self-diagnosed shopaholic, over the past two years I've saved more money than I ever could have imagined. 
  
  
  
• After years and years of relationship ups and downs, I found the love of my life about a year and half ago. (A direct result, I believe, of a new-found love for myself.)
  
  
  
• Every day for the past 2+ years, I spend time doing what I love -- writing -- which is something I used to keep in the "someday" file in my mind. 
  
  
  
• Since focusing on living a positive life, I've stopped partaking in negative activities and stopped spending time (or as much time) with people who bring me down. 
  
  
  
• About a year ago, I was hired at a new company. Though the transition wasn't initially smooth, I now actually enjoy my job and like going to work every day (ok, most days). 
  
  
  
• Though not perfect by any means, my relationships with friends and family have improved since I embraced a more positive life. 
  
  
  
• By enjoying my life more and looking for the positive things in every single day, I've become generally happier and focused on the present moment. 
  
  
  
• I now believe in a brighter, happier future for myself and the ones I love, something I definitely didn't do before. 

 

Whether you look to the science explained in the TIME article or to the ramblings of an online optimist like myself, it's hard to deny that there are some pretty serious benefits when it comes to being optimistic. I really used to think the idea of a positive attitude was just nonsense, something people said to keep themselves believing that this god-awful existence was worth something. But over the past few years I've found that all of that "nonsense" has some serious value. And apparently, according to TIME, I'm not the only one benefiting it. If you're looking for a one-way ticket to a better, happier, and apparently healthier life, I'd recommend giving optimism a go. You don't lose anything by giving it a shot -- and, hey, look at all that you might gain! 

Comments

[jonathanfigaro]

It's just better to be an optimists. There are just too many up when your an Optimist. You have the world in your hands with an I CAN DO ANYTHING ATTITUDE!

[Vic]

Good Stuff! All the things Tali Sharot says about optimism is true. Every entrepreneur, successful leader or inventor is a person that believes that the world can be made a better place.

Side note: I too, have stopped hanging around people that bring me down. It's has done wonders for me. Unfortunately, some of the people I had to avoid were relatives.

[positively present]

Jonathan - I agree that it seems much better to be an optimist. Having a can-do attitude can have a big impact on everything you do!

Vic - Very good point. Most of the people who have made a positive difference in the world have lead with the attitude that the world can be a better place. I know how hard it can be to rid your life of negative people (especially family members), but it ultimately is necessary to get rid of those who bring you down.

[Chrysta Bairre]

I absolutely loved this article!

Having an optimistic attitude saved my life. Without optimism I wouldn't have believed that a better life was possible for me, and took steps to create a better life for myself.

I believe there is a difference between optimism and denial/ignorance. I do not choose to paste a fake smile of my face when things are not okay. I do choose to believe that good things can and will happen, and I choose to focus my energy on creating and encouraging the good things in my life. It works for me!

[positively present]

Chrysta - You've raised a great point about the difference between being optimistic and simply being naive. It's important to be positive, but focusing on the good doesn't mean completely ignoring the bad. So glad to hear that you're focusing your energy on the positive. It really is the way to go!

[Chrysta Bairre]

I have a slightly different take on cutting ties with negative people. I try to limit my time with people who gossip, complain and have a generally negative attitude in my life. When it comes to family members, I have learned to detach with love.

I didn't have any contact with my mother for almost 8 years. During this time my mother nearly lost her life in Hurricane Katrina. I knew I had to learn a way to have at least limited contact with my mother because despite her sickness over which she has no control, she is my mother and I love her.

I am grateful to have learned about detaching with love. I don't have to become involved in my mother's affairs, nor do I have to participate in negative, harmful discussion and debate. I can practice taking care of me by focusing on my needs when I'm around my mother, and let her hurtful behavior be her own.

I can let my well-being be guided by self-love and self-care. When my mother is behaving particularly irrational or hurtful, I can honestly say, "Mom, I want you to know that I love you. I have to go now," and remove myself from the situation.

Great topic, thank you!

[Galen Pearl]

I missed that TIME article, so I'm glad to learn about it. Science is confirming what we all know from our own experience. Upbeat people are more fun to be around. We feel better when we look on the bright side. Even if we are born with a certain predisposition toward a positive or negative outlook, we can make a deliberate choice to change and "upgrade" our homepage. Thanks for your blend of science and personal observation. Great post.

[positively present]

Chrysta - Thanks so much for that great feedback and for sharing your personal experience dealing with negative people. Detaching with love is a hard thing to master, but it's an important element to living a positive life.

Galen - Glad you enjoyed this post! A positive attitude is a choice, and though it's not always an easy one to make, choosing it can have a huge impact on our lives. As you saw, I've learned that personally, but it was also great to read that science is continuing to back it up!

[Andrew Olson]

There's no question that optimism works, I have proven it subjectively in my own life. But I always get excited when scientists find empirical evidence of these kinds of things. Thank you for sharing this - I have bookmarked the time article online and I'll be reading it soon!

[positively present]

Andrew - I'm with you. It's exciting when scientists confirm what I've seen work in my own life. I hope you enjoy the TIME article. I think you will!

[paige]

I just want you to know how much I love this site. I visit daily and it always leaves me feeling refreshed and energized. Its just great :)

[positively present]

Paige - Thank you so much! I'm so happy you love reading Positively Present. Thanks for commenting and letting me know. You made my day! :)