The central ideas here? What we believe, and our outlook on life, can significantly impact outcomes.
Do you believe it? Finnish researchers do. Their study, published in BioMed Central, reveals scientific evidence linking our mental state of mind to the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
The researchers interviewed 2,815 adults to determine which had pessimistic outlooks on life and which had optimistic ones. Eleven years later, they found the pessimists were 2.2 more times likely to have died from coronary heart disease than the optimists. The authors found the link so striking that they recommended it be used as a risk factor to determine the risk of death from coronary heart disease.
How can you mitigate the risk of developing disease due to your mindset? Consider the people you surround yourself with. Make sure you spend time with people who aren’t easily overcome with negative thoughts when conflict arises. Look for people who are excited about the adventure of life, not those that seem dragged down by it. Go out of your way to do something nice for others each day: it will brighten your outlook and make you feel good. Read positive mantras in the morning over coffee. Write down those things you are grateful for each night before retiring. Find activities outside work that bring you joy and happiness.
Do you have tips for staying positive? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below!
We believe you can:
1) Take control of your own health
2) Become pain-free without invasive procedures or pills
3) Deserve to look and feel great in your body every day.