Your Attitude Matters!
With winter months in the rear-view mirror, May brings about opportunities for a renewed spirit. Like starting your garden, working on the golf swing, outdoor walks, baseball, open windows to let the breezes in – those are usually things that bring a smile.
Spring can also be a time to redefine and embrace growing older and to be thankful for the many blessings we experience each day – to practice “attitude and gratitude.”
For many older adults maintaining a healthy, positive mindset is a challenge. Losses, great and small, increase as we age. For some, seeing the “glass have full” takes a real effort, others seem to embrace it naturally.
When working at a senior living community in Eden Prairie, I was impressed with the attitude of many of our residents. When asked “how are you doing today” more times than not, the answer was “great” or “couldn’t be better”! It didn’t seem to matter what their circumstance was, they were just happy to have another day before them. What did those people have in common? Attitude!
Studies indicate that optimism and practicing gratitude not only have benefits to your emotional and spiritual health but can help with your physical state as well. For example, positive thinking can help with stress management, which is associated with many physical health issues.
Of course, being an optimist doesn’t mean you ignore life’s troubles or its difficulties, it simply means you view them with an open heart and mind – you more often see hope rather than despair.
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and how it can affect one’s health* – some of the findings include:
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress and pain
- Greater resistance to illnesses
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It is possible to turn your negative thinking around. However, it takes some practice.
- Keep self-pity in check. When something unpleasant happens is your first thought, “why me”? Try changing it to “why not me”? It is a small, but powerful change to your way of thinking.
- What thoughts need adjusting? Are there certain areas of your life such as a family situation, money concerns or health, that you typically have negative thoughts around? Start by just changing one thought over to the hopeful, more optimistic side and go from there.
- Smile, laugh. Be kind to yourself by finding humor in the happenings of everyday life – it will help lessen any stress you may be feeling.
- Take a break. If you are having a tough day, take a break. Go for a walk, read a up-lifting story, list three things in your life that are positive – this will help interrupt the negative thought process.
- The company you keep. Look at the relationships you have with others and determine who provides you with helpful advice and feedback and who is most often discouraging.
- Self-talk. Treat yourself as you would a friend – be understanding. Use words and thoughts of hopefulness when searching for solutions. Remind yourself of the blessings you have.
If you are a person who tends to be negative and pessimistic, transformation won’t happen overnight but it’s worth it to you and your loved ones to make the effort. We are never too old to implement changes, especially ones that will enhance our life and sense of well-being.