Got a Bad Attitude?
/Cynics. Pessimists. Negative Nancy’s. We all know one, love one, hey—maybe we even are one. Your whole life people have encouraged having a positive attitude for reasons that understandably revolve around forming better relationships and being kinder to one another. But what if you found out that cynicism could actually be contributing to some pretty serious medical conditions?
Now, as stated in the Upworthy video linked above, this connection is a tricky one to solidify. Research is still being done to better nail down the relationship between bad attitudes and health conditions such as dementia or heart disease. Until that research is done, this leaves room for a little estimation.
It makes sense that skeptics experience less pleasure than optimists, but is that entirely based on circumstance? The philosophy of a self fulfilling prophecy can be pretty powerful. If you tell yourself you’re going to have a bad day, then you make the means by which you actually have a good day incredibly high and most likely unattainable. The connection between the body and mind is a powerful one, and some people find that even saying the words “I’m having fun” out loud or forcing yourself to smile immediately begin to brighten one’s mood.
It makes sense, then, that those who practice a more optimistic view on life may tend to enjoy life more, and therefore may even care more about how long they get to live it. This is of course just a theory, and perhaps a weak one, but still food for thought.
Persistent problems such as depression and anxiety are sure to contribute to pessimistic attitudes, and there is no shortage of research linking physical side affects to mental health issues. This leads back to what is said towards the end of the video: that a negative attitude is completely reversible!
If you find yourself with an attitude on life that is causing stress or harm to yourself or others around you, consider the anxiety that may exist in your mind. If you feel so inclined, look into our website for more information on how you can schedule an appointment with us. Together we can foster a more positive attitude and improve your quality of life!
All of our blogs are written by Forward Counseling staff or interns.
