Optimistic people have been
shown to have healthier
hearts,
better stress-management
tendencies and lower
risk for stroke compared to their
glass-half-empty-seeing counterparts.
Looking
on the bright side is easier said than done,
of course. Fortunately, there are some ways to get your positive gears turning.
In the slideshow below, David Mezzapelle, author of "Contagious
Optimism,"
shares 10 tips for living more optimistically. Check them out then tell us in
the comments: What philosophies will you adopt to see more silver linings?
.1. Have Gratitude
"It all starts
with counting our blessings. If you are not grateful for the good things in
your life, you will never be satisfied. Take inventory of the good around you.
But don't neglect what's not great, either: You also need to be grateful for the
hardships, the obstacles, the failures. Why? Because these are the points of
wisdom in your life. They give you strength, they teach you how to persevere,
and they form your resilience. Being thankful for every step makes life’s
hardships surmountable. All of this is the foundation of optimism; being
psyched about the good and the bad, and knowing that they all point to a bright
future."
ADVERTforward.'”
"I believe we all
have the capacity to live optimistically just by sharing our life’s adventures,
our successes and even our failures. Just knowing others have been in the same
boat and have persevered is comforting. It spreads a message of hope, and hope
is the main ingredient in optimism. When we share our stories we are giving
others the tools they need to build, evolve, and persevere. In essence, mankind
is always 'paying it forward.'”
"This is easier
said than done but you need to forgive those that have affected your ability to
find the silver linings. I believe that the easiest way to forgive and move on
is to reflect on the fact that the past is the past. Just look at it this way;
the person that you are having a hard time forgiving probably wishes that he or
she could erase the past as well. In summary, make peace with your past so that
it won't spoil the present. Once you accomplish this, you will close those
chapters and live a more positive and happy life."
"When you listen
you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world
with your words or your distracting thoughts. You are also demonstrating
confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are
secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy."
"When we envy
others we are only hurting ourselves. The universe does not owe you because
someone else is better off than you. Channel that energy into building your
personal and professional brand. Consider other people’s success the catalyst
to help you achieve."
"When we smile we
are creating a happy, stimulating environment around us that draws others in.
Frowning, on the other hand, shuts people out and has the opposite effect.
Happiness, even in brief doses, releases Serotonin (the happy hormone). It
makes the toughest days surmountable."
"This may be
common advice, but we all need some form of exercise and sunlight every day
even -- if it’s only for 15 minutes. If you can’t get natural sunlight, ask
your doctor about Vitamin D supplements and/or light therapy. If you can’t get
exercise during your busy schedule, use the staircase instead of the elevator
or park in the furthest parking spot. Whatever it takes, keep yourself in
healthy motion as often as you can. Consider balanced meals and don’t push away
those fruits and vegetables. If you feel hunger throughout the day, consider
almonds and walnuts if you are not allergic. If you are predisposed to
allergies, consider frequent smaller meals throughout the day instead of three
larger ones. The energy we get from exercise, a healthy diet, and light
exposure gives us focus, clarity and a naturally positive demeanor."
"Positive forward
thinking is the ability to find the silver lining in every cloud, apply it to
today or yesterday and be hopeful that tomorrow will be better. Imagine
surgery; you think the worse and can’t wait for it to be over. Take all that
and start visualizing what the point of the surgery is and what the results of
the procedure will deliver. The goal is good, it’s only today that may seem
rough. Or picture a student studying for a grueling exam. It may seem like the
end of the world trying to prepare and memorize all this information. But take
that energy and picture what your degree can do for your future. Like anything
else, working hard will always deliver results. Life is not a lottery. It’s what
you make of it."
9. Stop Blaming Others
"It is so easy to
blame others for our position in life. People blame the economy, politicians,
bosses, and all types of third parties for their problems. Once you truly
accept that you control who you are, you will find that optimism and success
come naturally. Remember, opportunity is usually found in the valleys, not at
the peaks."
10. Understand That
The Past Is Not A Blueprint For The Future
"Just because
you've experienced adversity in your life does not mean that what starts badly
will end badly. Do not make bad experiences a self-fulfilling prophecy of what
lies ahead. On the contrary, know that those milestones are behind you and the
road to the future is clear."
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