Scientists have discovered a gene that makes some of us more likely to develop dementia. But there’s something in our control that can influence whether or not that gene expresses itself. Simply put, people who have the gene can help avoid dementia – just by embracing one simple concept and attitude: positive thinking and optimism.
If we needed more proof that our frame of mind can influence our health, there it is.
Scientists are not clear on the reasons for the correlation.
Some suggest that a positive outlook reduces stress, which may prevent the dementia gene from kicking in.
Other Benefits of Optimism
Besides helping protect us from dementia, having a positive outlook enables more effective coping and speedier recovery.
Optimists also require less hospitalization and re-hospitalization due to illness.
And those who practice optimism are also less likely to develop heart disease or suffer a stroke.
Optimism even helps diminish our perception of pain.
If all this weren’t enough to encourage us to seek out the bright side, optimists also tend to be more resilient. This helps them rebound from setbacks of all kinds, when they do occur.
If you’re not a convert yet, optimists are also more likely to eat healthy, sleep better, and engage in exercise, too.
All this, plus, practicing optimism helps us to avoid dementia.
Try Optimism to Avoid Dementia
So – what are your waiting for?
Pretend to be an optimist for a week or two and see how it begins to change your life.
Small changes will make an impact. Just train yourself to look for that bright side a little more often.
- Assume the trains are going to run on time.
- Picture the sun coming out.
- Visualize all your traffic lights turning green as you approach them.
- Know that something good will happen today, tonight and tomorrow and await it with anticipation.
Then comment and tell us all about it.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
10 Responses
How interesting! It blows my mind how much our mental state can affect us physically! Great post Joan, really has me thinking x
I love this!!! I try to choose optimism the best I can- I’ll keep trying!!!
I think you have to be optimistic in life. After reading the book, The Secret, I realized that there just isn’t any room for negativity in my life!
Not sure if this posted… but thank you for this! Yet another reason to reclaim my cheery disposition!
It’s just amazing how much of an influence our mind has on our health! I’m off to practice optimism. I need to listen to the Secret again! Thanks so much for a lovely post!!
Me, too – I try to re-read the book about once a year to keep myself in the right mind set. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
This is a great post! Being optimistic is a good start to achieving great things… And it’s also good for our health!
Lovely post! It’s so important to be optimistic and have a positive outlook on life – when I’m being optimistic I definitely feel a lot happier.
Chloe x
http://www.chloechats.com
Big advocate of optimism. Always try to find the good in things! Surprised that it is linked to preventing dementia though. Have never heard this!
Very interesting information, our minds are so powerful! Being positive is just an easy thing to do, yet many of us chose to see the glass half full! Great post thanks for sharing!