Optimism Builds Better Health

Optimism seems to affect one's physical and psychological well-being. Being optimistic improves the physical health of both males and females. The term "dispositional optimism", first used by Scheier and Carver (1985, 1987), means that one is inclined to expect the best possible outcome in any situation. The people who have this dispositional optimism are the most physically well. In fact, even when faced with something major, such as heart surgery, those with this optimism recover more quickly than those without it (Scheier et al., 1989). In order to maintain good overall health, it seems that optimism is the key factor in doing so.

The life orientation test (LOT; Scheier & Carver, 1985) is used as a measuring tool to determine how optimistic one is. The less optimistic one is, the more physical complaints he or she seems to report. The article concluded that there is a significant need to focus on a holistic approach when counseling those who are trying to learn optimism (Lewis, Sperry, & Carlson, 1993).

In my opinion on this article, I agree that if one is more optimistic, he or she is more likely to have better physical well-being. Although this topic gets researched to a great extent, I would say that it is common sense that when one has a good outlook on life, his or her mind and body will produce adequate amounts of the right chemicals to support mental and physical health and function better overall. When one is feeling down or giving up, one's body tends to follow that lead. I also agree with the article that one should focus on a holistic approach. I think it is very important to focus on one's entire self, mind, body, and spirit, since those things are what makes us who we are and all work together to either make us well or ill.

Optimism and positive psychology go hand-in-hand. In the article, Positive psychology in practice: Various approaches aim to shift attention away from pathology (Harvard Medical School, 2008), the focus is on teaching one techniques that encourage the positive emotions and actions that will lead him or her to be more optimistic. In this article, there are several techniques highlighted such as well-being therapy, or therapy that promotes recovery from depressive disorders while "alleviating negative aspects of life", positive psychotherapy, which focuses on individual strengths, good things that happen throughout one's day, and being grateful, and integrating positive psychology into practice in one's daily life (Harvard Medical School, 2008). By integrating, a person puts more emphasis on the positive, identifies strengths and uses them daily, and learns how to "build strategies that foster hope" (Harvard Medical School, 2008).

There is adequate research from these techniques that support that those who put the techniques into practice were happier, less depressed individuals. In my opinion, positive psychology is beneficial. I believe that any time one focuses on the more positive side of things, uses words that strengthen one's personal physical and mental strengths, and learns how to face challenges and adversity with a greater degree of hope, one is more likely to be psychologically well.

Optimism creates a better overall physical self and psychological self. I think both articles give enough support to this idea. If one desires to be a happier, more hopeful, energetic person, it seems that optimism is a key factor in achieving this goal.

Resources:

Harvard Medical School. (2008, May). Harvard Mental Health Letter, Vol. 24, Number 11

Retrieved August 2, 2008, from EBSCOhost database.

Ustundaq-Badak, M. & Mocan-Aydin, G. (2005). The role of personality factors in predicting

the reported physical health symptoms of Turkish college students. Vol. 40, Iss. 159, pg.

559. Roslyn Heights. Retrieved August 2, 2008, from ProQuest database.

Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping and health: Assessment and

implication of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, 4, 219-247.

Retrieved August 2, 2008, from ProQuest database.

Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1987). Dispositional optimism and physical well-being: The
influences of generalized outcome experiences on health. Journal of Personality, 55(2),
169-210. Retrieved August 2, 2008, from ProQuest database.

Scheier, M. F., Matthews, K. A., Owens, J. F., Magovern, G. J., Lefebvre, R. C., Abbott, R. A.,
& Carver, C. S. (1989). Dispositional optimism and recovery from coronary artery
bypass surgery: The beneficial effects on physical and psychological well-being. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1024-1040. Retrieved August 2, 2008, from
ProQuest database.