Seven Habits of Optimistic People
Happy
people live longer and feel better. But how do they stay so upbeat?
Optimists
aren’t just people who see the glass half full. They also make more money than
pessimists and enjoy health benefits such as fewer colds, a
reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and a longer life.
That’s
something to smile about.
"Children
are born optimists and over the course of time, life happens," says Jason
Wachob,
cofounder and CEO of the healthy living website MindBodyGreen.com. "Circumstances
change and cynicism sets in, but deep down most of us want to get back to the
optimism of our childhood."
David Mezzapelle, author of Contagious Optimism, has studied optimistic people for five
years: "Some people are naturally more optimistic," he says. "I
believe, however, that somebody who is negative or pessimistic can control it
and improve upon it."
Optimism
isn’t a pie-in-the-sky ideal, says Mezzapelle. "It’s not closing your eyes
and being in the clouds," he says. "People often tell me they’re a
realist, but reality alone may prevent you from getting past first base.
Combine optimism with acceptance of the life you’ve been dealt, and the sky’s
the limit."
Like
any healthy habit, Wachob says optimism is something you need to practice every
day. He and Mezzapelle share seven traits optimists share and the habits you
can implement to become one, too:
1. They Express Gratitude
Being
appreciative of big blessings isn’t enough; Mezzapelle says optimists are
grateful for the smallest things in life.
"The
sun coming up in morning, your child or dog excited to see you—being thankful
about the littlest thing makes the bigger things that much better," he
says.
Optimists
also find good in hardships, obstacles, and failures, because these are the
situations that give you strength and resilience: "When optimists stumble
across problems, it doesn’t seem as bad because they’ve learned to always find
the silver linings," Mezzapelle says.
2. They Donate Their Time And Energy
Whether
it’s helping at the local soup kitchen or being available to people you know,
Wachob says giving back is a habit optimistic people practice.
"This
helps you feel grateful for what you have," he says. "It’s a good
place to start if you want to become more optimistic."
Mezzapelle
agrees: "No matter what you’re going through, you need to be good to
others and help when you can," he says. "The spirit of altruism can
make you feel optimistic about your own life."
3. They’re Interested In
Others
When
people hear the stories of how others persevere, it fosters optimism, says
Mezzapelle.
"People
often think they’re alone in their struggles, such as divorce, cancer, or
financial problems," he says. "When they hear about people who’ve
experienced the same thing and came out on the sunny side, it can give them
hope, and hope is the foundation of optimism."
Wachob
says simply reading inspirational stories can help. "This is something
everyone can do on a daily basis," he says. "There are so many
amazing stories about amazing people who overcome incredible odds."
4. They Surround Themselves With Upbeat
People
You
are the sum of the people you spend time with, says Wachob.
"If
you are with pessimists, every time you hang out with them it can be draining.
If you’re with optimists, however, it’s easy to absorb that energy and it can be powerful."
Mezzapelle
likes a phrase coined by Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton: "Optimism is a
happiness magnet." "It’s true," he says. "When you’re
around people who are positive and upbeat, it brings you up."
5. They Don’t Listen To Naysayers
What
other people do or say is a reflection of their own reality, not yours, says
Mezzapelle. Optimistic people don’t take the opinions of others too seriously
when they don’t agree.
This
means not listening to the naysayers who will tell you that you can’t achieve
your goals: "You can disagree with other opinions—that’s the beauty of
life," Mezzapelle says. "Don’t look at it any other way and don’t let
it affect you. It’s their reality, not yours."
6. They Forgive Others
While
this can be easier said than done, Mezzapelle says optimists have an ability to
forgive.
"The
easiest way to forgive is to reflect on the fact that the past is the
past," he says. "Make peace with it so that it doesn’t spoil the
present."
7. They Smile
Smiling
creates a happy environment that draws others in, says Mezzapelle, and
happiness, even in brief doses, releases serotonin, a hormone that contributes
to the feeling of well-being.
Smiling
also has health benefits; a study from the University of Kansas found that cracking a
smile—even when you don’t feel like it—reduces the intensity of the body’s
stress response, regardless of whether a person actually feels happy.
By Stephanie
Vozza
http://www.fastcompany.com/3042025/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/seven-habits-of-optimistic-people
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