Optimism: Positive thinking for more well-being

Optimism has a positive effect on health and psyche. However, if this positive attitude to life does not result from a deep conviction, the dark side can also come to light.

Optimism: These are the advantages of positive thinking

Optimism describes an attitude towards life in which one looks at the current situation and the future from a positive perspective. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for learning an optimistic mindset. What is certain, however, is that such an attitude brings many advantages, as numerous studies show:

• Healthier and longer life: It has been scientifically proven that optimists usually live longer than pessimists. According to US study The probability of living older than 85 years with a positive outlook on life is 50 percent higher for the most optimistic women than for the most pessimistic, and for men the difference is even 70 percent.
• Professional success: Optimistic people see difficulties and problems at work as opportunities. Due to their positive attitude, they often have more confidence in themselves than employees with a pessimistic attitude do. This leads to a Study by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg to optimists getting better social support and earning more.
• Mental well-being: People who view their situation from the best side are often better at coping with crises and setbacks. This could be because they are better able to deal with their emotions and their own actions. By this behavior they are according to studies significantly less at risk depressions or having anxiety disorders.
• Interpersonal relationships: In addition, optimists are said to have better interpersonal relationships. A Study by the University of Mannheim proves that people with a positive outlook on life are more willing to compromise. So they might be better at dealing with conflict in partnerships as well Friendships bypass.

The downside of optimism

But only serious optimism can bring the benefits mentioned above. This means that only those who are seriously convinced of their positive thoughts will be able to enjoy the benefits. Otherwise, these disadvantages can otherwise result from an “optimistic” attitude:

• Feeling of superiority and overconfidence: As an optimist, your own successes have a significantly higher priority in life than crises and failures. However, this also makes it easy to overestimate yourself, for example by taking on too many tasks and thereby overwhelming yourself.
• Naive actions: Anyone who thinks that everything will turn out well in any situation can also expose themselves to danger. This can result in reckless behavior, such as not wearing a seat belt while driving because you’ve been doing well the last few times.
• Excessive pressure: Those who are too optimistic and over-motivated may set themselves goals that are too high. This not only puts those affected under pressure, but also leads to constant dissatisfaction with themselves.

You have to internalize positive thought patterns first, and that doesn’t happen overnight. Also, be aware that setbacks and sad moments do happen – but it’s about how you deal with them.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Joie de vivre: How to learn to enjoy your life
• Asceticism: Why abstinence and renunciation can make you happy
• Frugality: This is how you live happier