We live in times that are undoubtedly complex and could get overwhelming. Such surroundings inculcate negative emotions, such as sadness within us. We are swamped in our jobs and hardly find time to think about our happiness and well-being. At the end of each day, we become tired and succumb to our basic needs and call it a night.
However, it does not have to be this way. We should have joy and felicity in our lives. And we should live each moment as if we wanted it that way. Luckily, you do not need to go further because we have brought to you the essential information that you will need to welcome happiness into your lives. So what is the secret? Trust me. You already possess it.
Relationship Between Optimism And Happiness:
Optimism means always to expect a better outcome and look at the favorable side of events. Optimistic people believe in the positive side of things, and they tend to think that adverse events or occurring are only temporary.
According to London-based neurologist Tali Sharot, who wrote the book Optimism Bias: A Tour Of The Irrationally Positive Brain, around 80% of the human population is inherently optimistic. This means that most of us have a positive outlook on life, but we are not fully aware of it. Keeping in mind this fact, I believe it would be easier for us to cultivate the habit of optimism since we now know that we already possess it.
Optimism is not happiness. But, it correlates with it. It is the path to happiness. Some people are fortunate enough to have a naturally optimistic look at life while others can learn this skill and make their life much happier and satisfying. Both happy and unhappy people experience the same amount of adversity in their lives. What matters is their interpretation of circumstances.
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” – Aristotle
How optimism improves one’s life?
There are multiple ways in which optimism improves one’s life and leads to greater happiness. Some of them are explained below.
Physical Health.
One of the surprising facts of optimism was that it resulted in life longevity. According to a study conducted, every ten-point increase in a person’s score on optimism scale, the risk of early death decreased by 19%.
Additionally, optimism also plays a role in recovery from illnesses and diseases. It is highly likely that an optimist person would not respond with much distress when presented with a life-threatening disease or illness. A study in 2004 showed that an optimistic person has fewer chances of developing chronic diseases.
Moreover, being positive improves one’s sleep quality. It is also proven that positivity improves
one’s immune system. Higher positivity means higher antibody production and better immune outcomes.
Psychological Health.
There is a lot of evidence that suggests that optimism helps people in coping with difficult situations in their life. From transitioning to a new college to being in the middle of a war, optimism seems to work effectively in helping people get through tough moments in their lives.
Furthermore, optimism has shown to be one of the reasons for good self-esteem and general life satisfaction. Optimism has shown a more exceptional ability to help people move on with life’s disappointments. This is because optimism tends to focus on the bright side rather than the dark side, which ultimately helps people get on with their lives.
Careers
Optimistic people have a positive outlook on life and feel in charge of the positive events in their lives. Likewise, optimism increases a person’s productivity and creativity. It is easy to deduce that once these go up, the probability of finding a suitable career rises substantially.
Positivity brings hopefulness, and the hopeful people are also engaged in getting tasks done, which may lend them the opportunity of a better job.
If we look at it from an entrepreneurial perspective, optimistic people do believe strongly in their creativity. They think that their idea will work, and that is why they go ahead and try it. And as a result, they enjoy fruits of their labor.
Relationships
Optimistic people radiate joy and happiness. Their contagious outlook helps them connect with people rather quickly. They seldom view anyone as an enemy. The positivity allows them to make friends quickly in a social gathering.
Optimistic couples who are in a romantic relationship are evidently more happier than their pessimistic counterparts. However, it does not necessarily mean that both partners need to be optimistic. Only one would have a significant impact on the relationship too.
Gratitude
If someone came up to me and asked me what the sure way to achieve optimism and happiness in their lives is, I’d tell them to practice gratitude.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
– Frederick Keonig
There is not anything in the world that is as powerful as gratefulness. Adapting a grateful behavior will change one’s life very quickly. This behavior invites happiness, warmth, love, and calm in one’s life. It makes a person be kind and feel grateful for the things he has. Its miraculous effect has changed numerous lives across the globe and will undoubtedly change yours too.
Now and then, be aware of the things you possess. Look around yourself and be grateful. Let your heart fill with joy and ecstasy. And walk the road to happiness.
-w
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