According to recent studies, when 2,000 people ages 60 & over were asked about their health, 87% of those who identified as mostly optimistic also reported being in good to excellent health. Out of those who idenified as least optimist, only 44% reported being in good health. Those who consider themselves most optimist also reported other positive health attributes such as good sleeping habits, increased confidence and overall happy feeling.
Experts recommend the following tips if you are having trouble staying on the sunny side of life:
Tip #1: Take care of yourself.
Recognize and take ownership that your health is your own responsibility to achieve the best health, set goals and take steps to meet them.
Tip #2: Befriend your doctor.
Talk to your doctor and other healthcare professionals and build a trusting relationship with them.
Tip #3: Find a purpose to get out of bed each day.
Find a purpose that makes you excited to get up each morning. Whether it be taking a walk each morning, volunteering somehwere, engaging in a class to learn something new, or something else, find something that you will enjoy that gets you excited.
Tip #4: Nurture your important relationships.
Stay socially engaged and don't isolate yourself. Nurture the close relationships you have by spending time with those that are important to you. Some 71% of the study participants recognized the importance of social engagement in their optimistic attitudes.
Tip #6: Stay physically active.
Stay active and know that physical activity is important. Find something that you like to do and that you are comfortable doing. Over 97% of survey respondents said being healthy was a motivator for staying active.
Tip #6: Be thankful.
Practice gratitude and make it a habit to look for and appreciate the things that you are thankful for and that make you happy each day.
Knowing that optimism is linked to good health and well-being means that you need to take active steps to make positive and healthy decisions through all areas of your life. Now go put these habits into action!
