🧭Having Positive Thoughts Leads to a Longer Life

Good Day, and welcome to The Growth Compass. We are that beautiful sparkle of fireworks to end the night, bringing you some joy, happiness, and keeping you present.

Here’s where we’re headed today:

• Noam Chomsky on optimism

• 9 things that optimism and hope bring

• The scientific benefits of optimism, resilience, and positivity

• Heartfelt video of a dad opening his father’s day present

Noam Chomsky on Optimism

"Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so."

- Noam Chomsky

9 Things That Optimism and Hope Bring

Why Optimism and Hope Matter: Optimism and hope are powerful because they brighten your outlook on life, making your more resilient and mentally tougher.

Optimism shows you the possibility of a great tomorrow. Optimism is powerful because it means being strong and resilient in times that might be challenging. It isn’t easy to be optimistic - it is difficult. But when you choose to be optimistic, you'll find yourself better equipped to face challenges, and you will become mentally stronger.

There is a great quote from The Hunger Games - “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”

Here's why embracing optimism and hope is essential for your well-being and personal growth:

1. Positive Outlook: Optimism enables you to see the silver lining in even the most challenging situations.

2. Resilience: With hope, you can bounce back from setbacks and persevere through adversity.

3. Mental Health: An optimistic mindset can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better mental well-being.

4. Problem-Solving Skills: Optimistic people tend to be more creative in finding solutions to problems.

5. Improved Physical Health: Studies suggest that hopeful people experience better physical health and recover faster from illnesses.

6. Motivation and Goal-Setting: Optimism and hope drive you to set ambitious goals and work towards achieving them.

7. Enhanced Relationships: An optimistic and hopeful attitude can foster stronger and more positive connections with others.

8. Increased Happiness: Embracing optimism and hope leads to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

9. Expanded Opportunities: When you believe in positive outcomes, you become open to seizing new opportunities.

Takeaway Questions to Ask Yourself:

• How can I practice optimism every day?

• What are some potential positive outcomes of something that I am facing today?

• What can I learn from this experience?

• How often do I ask in a situation - ‘What happens if everything goes right?

3 Studies on the Power of Optimism

Having Positive Thoughts Leads to a Longer Life

In this study, researchers examined autobiographies written in 1930 by nuns living together at the same convent. They examined the journals of the nuns between the ages of 18-32 years old and rated them on how positive they were. Sixty years later, researchers contacted the surviving nuns and found that of those still alive, roughly 50% had lived beyond the average life expectancy. Of the longest living survivors, all of them had scored high on positive thoughts or feelings about life in their journals written back in 1930, regardless of the circumstances!

The Power of Positive Visualizations

In this study, published in March 2016, researchers from Kings College in London tested 102 subjects diagnosed with anxiety disorder. They asked one group to visualize an image of a positive outcome to one of the three worries that they had in the last week. The second group was asked to think of positive verbal outcomes. The last group was instructed to visualize a positive image whenever they started to worry. The two groups that visualized a positive image reported greater happiness, restfulness, and decreased anxiety.

Study Proving Self-Efficacy (Self-Confidence)

In this study, researchers explored the relationship among academic self-efficacy, optimism, and academic performance in 1,852 adolescents from twelve secondary schools in Spain. The findings indicated significant positive correlations between self-efficacy, optimism, and academic performance. The study also showed that self-confidence acted as a mediator between optimism and academic achievement. While optimism alone did not directly predict academic performance, its combination with self-efficacy positively influenced students' outcomes. These results show the importance of academic self-efficacy in promoting adaptability and personal development, contributing to better performance and lower dropout rates.

Takeaways:

• Positive thinking can impact your health, longevity, and mindset.

• Positive visualizations can lead to increased happiness and reduced anxiety.

• Optimism helps increase the belief you have in yourself and your own self-confidence.

Example of How Your Optimism Pays It Forward

Heartfelt video of a dad opening his father’s day present from his stepdaughter. Warning: Try not to cry😢

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