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| Optimism and High Level Wellness |
| Columns - Wellness | ||||||||
| Written by John Newport, PhD | ||||||||
| Tuesday, 26 June 2007 | ||||||||
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As a wellness advocate, I am intrigued by the connection between an
optimistic outlook and our ability to program ourselves for optimal
health. I will expound on this important topic in this two-column
series. As always, please feel free to share these thoughts with any of
your clients who may benefit from this message.
In his best-selling book The Power of Optimism, Alan McGinnis describes distinguishing characteristics of people who bring to bear an optimistic outlook on life (McGinnis, 1990). Among other things, optimists tend to: • View themselves as problem solvers and believe that they have control over their futures • Consciously interrupt their negative thought patterns and put the best possible “spin” on situations with which they are confronted • Heighten their powers of appreciation, and focus their attention on things for which they are grateful • Use their imaginations to program themselves for success. Impact of optimism on our physical health To a considerable degree, the successfulness of your clients’ experience in recovery will be reflective of their ability to replace the negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with their former addictive lifestyles with a more positive, life-affirming belief system. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other 12-step programs offer powerful tools that foster a more optimistic orientation toward life. These include the opportunity to embrace a healing relationship with a beneficent higher power, and the fellowship afforded by the program through attending meetings, working with a sponsor, and rubbing elbows with other role models whose lives are working. As a wellness advocate, I firmly believe that reclaiming one’s birthright to optimal health constitutes a crucially important component of recovery. Along these lines, I take heart in a growing body of evidence that attests to the positive impact of an optimistic outlook on our physical health status (Huard, 2003; Hafen, et. al., 1996; Seligman, 1998). Numerous studies indicate that optimists tend to experience a more rapid and fuller recovery from a wide variety of health problems, including: heart attacks, obesity, back pain and psychiatric disorders (Huard, 2003). As a group, optimists recover faster from surgery and live longer when confronted with AIDS, heart disease and other serious illnesses. Recent research also suggests that optimism has a strengthening effect on our immune systems and is associated with increased production of T-cells, which play a major role in warding off infections (Huard, 2003). Indeed, it appears that the very cells and tissues of our bodies respond very positively to a mental outlook that is characterized by an overriding sense of purpose in life and joy for living. I suspect that on average, optimists tend to live years, if not decades, longer than their more pessimistic counterparts as a result of the sense of appreciation and positive expectancy they bring to their lives. Reaping the benefits of learned optimism As you are well aware, your clients in recovery have already come a long way in terms of reprogramming their self-destructive behaviors, and cultivating a positive appreciation of the many good things that life has to offer. You may wish to encourage your clients to harness the power of learned optimism in creating even greater levels of health and well-being in their lives, by applying the following pointers: 1. Learn to confront and challenge your negative thought patterns — We all tend to bombard ourselves with negative thoughts at various points throughout the day. One way to consciously interrupt this cycle is to keep a notepad with you, and note down your negative thought patterns at four to six points throughout the day. Later on that evening, spend a few minutes reviewing these negative self put-downs, and consciously challenging them. This will help you to break the cycle and replace your negative self-talk with more self-affirming thought patterns. 2. Mentally program yourself for optimal health — Visualize the positive state of health that you would like to attain, and mentally rehearse the various steps that you need to move through to attain that goal. For example, if you would like to lose 25 pounds, visualize yourself signing up for a weight loss class; learning healthier patterns of eating and enjoying nutritious foods; and reaping the end results of your weight loss program in terms of increased self esteem, enhanced social confidence and greater energy and alertness. Likewise, if you desire to quit smoking, identify the key reason why you want to quit, write it down, and imprint it on your consciousness. Then, visualize yourself meeting with your physician or other trusted health advisor to develop a quitting strategy that will work for you; and see yourself throwing away your cigarettes the night before your chosen quit date. Most importantly, visualize yourself enjoying the many benefits in terms of improved health, vitality and increased life expectancy that you will reap as a result of your active commitment to quit smoking. The most important step in any visualization process is to actively follow through with your visualizations, and do the necessary legwork to transform your goals into reality. 3. When confronted with a health challenge, take a problem-solving approach — Become a scientist, searching for multiple options and creative solutions. For example, if you are struggling with the pain and restricted mobility associated with osteoarthritis, you may want to explore various options, such as yoga and dietary changes that might help improve your condition, in addition to the offerings of conventional medical treatment. Seek out others who have dealt with a similar health challenge and have successfully overcome it, and learn from them. The above illustrations are just a few examples of ways in which your clients can creatively apply the benefits of learned optimism in attracting improved health and vitality into their lives. In next issue’s column, we will take a closer look at the powerful connection between optimism and high level wellness. C References Hafen, Brent Q.; Keith, J. Karren; Frandsen, Kathryn J. and N. Lee Smith. Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions and Relationships. Needham Heights, Mass.: Allyn & Bacon (Simon and Schuster), 1996. Huard, Paul R., “Researchers are finding that a positive attitude can help you ward off disease”. Copley News Service, March 10, 2003. McGinnis, Alan Loy. The Power of Optimism: Mastering the 12 Characteristics of Tough-Minded Optimists. San Francisco: Harper & Row. 1990. Seligman, Martin E.P., Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. New York: Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster). 1998.
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