Anyone who saw the Robin Williams movie, "Patch Adams" knows that laughter really is a form of holistic medicine. In fact, this concept has been taken so far that in Israel there are now formal college programs for those who would work as "Medical Clowns". This tells us that a positive mental attitude is a strong tool towards healing. If you are facing any sort of medical (or emotional) challenges, it is a good idea to identify any tools or resources available to help you. For example, if you are going to find yourself confined to a hospital bed for any length of time, you may want to turn to technology to brighten a gloomy mood. There are now all kinds of apps that can be put to use and they can even allow you to interact with others who may be facing similar health issues or times of emotional turmoil.
The Power of Positivity
Before you let anyone "poo-poo" the idea that being positive is useful during medical problems, consider a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health beginning in 2001. In the study it was discovered that the patients with the most optimistic views about life were also those who decreased their risks of heart disease. Other studies also concluded that a positive attitude reduced the chances for heart disease in postmenopausal women as well. The evidence around the positive mental attitude just keeps piling up, and proves that the "Pollyannas" among us really do live longer lives and tend to develop much healthier relationships. In fact, it is viewed as enabling the individual to "be there" for people in their lives in a way that the true pessimists cannot.
Positive Mental Attitude Defined
Because so many people argue that a positive person has to be a bit delusional, let's see just what the experts consider a positive mental attitude.
• Glass half full - Yes, these are the folks who would answer that timeless question of "is the glass half empty or half full" with the positive perspective. They do not note the absence but instead put an emphasis on the presence. In other words, someone with a positive mental attitude is one who can appreciate what they have and set aside worries and thoughts about what they do not have or cannot have.
• Faith - This is not the religious sort of faith (though there are many who truly believe that this too helps to overcome medical and emotional challenges), but is instead the faith in oneself to conquer challenges, no matter what might come along.
• Opportunists - That's right; the person with the truly positive mental attitude is also the person who sees each day as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
For example, someone who has suffered a stroke and is told that they must relearn balance can either view this as an excuse to stay "safely" seated in order to avoid any falls, or they can look at is as an opportunity to retake their lives.
All of the studies have proven, time and again, that a positive perspective is the one that can help a person with a medical challenge to recover faster and more completely. Interestingly enough, the studies also reveal that the optimist handles the inevitable too. In all of the studies done, the "end of life" issues were viewed with acceptance and comfort by those who had displayed positive attitudes all along. This means that no matter what life presents, the person with the positive mental attitude is going to be able to face it calmly and with a good outlook.
Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon, writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.
