The Life-Extending Health Benefits of Optimism

[iolaire]

This is something I think about a bit. Why I'm healthy (and on dialysis) were others are not. I do think that a constant positive outlook helps. (I do get stressed and snap at my wife.)  this story supports that a positive outlook statically helps.

The Life-Extending Health Benefits of Optimism
A new large-scale study finds women who maintain a positive outlook on life are less likely to die prematurely.
https://psmag.com/the-life-extending-health-benefits-of-optimism-d1c3baaa83fe#.2ofu6geji

[PrimeTimer]

I try to engage the possibilities of the future and what good may come our way. And no matter the weather, I try to get outside for fresh air every day, even if only for a few minutes. And even when indoors I try to connect with nature. For instance, I love bird watching through the window with a small pair of binoculars. I relax with our cats and watch animal videos. I love daydreaming. I indulge in cheap but good flavored coffee. I  make time for conversation with my husband and not just about finances and health. It's hard to be optimistic. For me, optimism has to be a mood that is created and then quickly shared with the nearest person you love.     

[willowtreewren]

I'm no Pollyanna, but I have to agree. And not only optimism, but gratitude. I try to take time every day to recognize those things for which I am grateful. That feeds into my optimism.

Like today, I had to trade in my phone for a new one. In the exchange, I lost ALL my previous health data. Well. That means I'm a new me. hahahahahaha

Aleta

[Simon Dog]

Dialysis sucks, but consider how fortunate those of us on dialysis are who live in a country where everyone gets treatment, rather than "how many sessions can you afford to pay for this week?".

[kickingandscreaming]

Until Paul Ryan and the GOP have their way with us and "reform" Medicare.

[Simon Dog]

Until Paul Ryan and the GOP have their way with us and "reform" Medicare.

I think you underestimate the power of inertia, and the level of resistance to taking things away from people.

Note that Trump is already saying he wants to keep the pre-existing exclusion and age 26 limit on health insurance.   Ok, now that he has committed to keeping the most expensive parts of Obamacare in place, I wonder how he is going to "reform" it, other than shifting around who pays.

[MooseMom]

I can't see any policy in the works, whether it is by "fixing" the ACA, repealing the "ACA" or by repealing and replacing the ACA, that will address the underlying problem, which is that costs are just too high.  You can shift around who pays all you want, but prices are still too high.

"The care is too damn high!"

I have trouble with optimism because it seems that as soon as I allow myself a little of it, BAM!   Something painful or distressing happens that seems to teach me that it is folly to let my guard down.  I wish I could change that mindset.

That doesn't mean, though, that I can't be grateful.

[kickingandscreaming]

I can't see any policy in the works, whether it is by "fixing" the ACA, repealing the "ACA" or by repealing and replacing the ACA, that will address the underlying problem, which is that costs are just too high.  You can shift around who pays all you want, but prices are still too high.

"The care is too damn high!"

It's too costly mostly because Pres. Obama succumbed to the siren song of the private insurance industry and created this mostly privatized mongrel plan (originally Romney's GOP plan) while selling the public option down the river.  Single payer is the only way that makes any sense, IMHO as it cuts out the greedy insurance industry.

[cassandra]

This is something I think about a bit. Why I'm healthy (and on dialysis) were others are not. I do think that a constant positive outlook helps. (I do get stressed and snap at my wife.)  this story supports that a positive outlook statically helps.

The Life-Extending Health Benefits of Optimism
A new large-scale study finds women who maintain a positive outlook on life are less likely to die prematurely.
https://psmag.com/the-life-extending-health-benefits-of-optimism-d1c3baaa83fe#.2ofu6geji

Sorry Iolaire I can't agree. That I'm still alive after 20+ years D is definitely not down to my optimistic outlook. It's down to luck. I know too many optimistic people who died young, and too many pessimistic people still being alive well past 80 continuing to moan about the state of their so called terrible health.

[MooseMom]

K&S, I don't think Obama or anyone else could have passed single payer through Congress.  And if you look at a country like the UK that has single payer in the form of the NHS, bits and pieces of that system are slowly being privatized and costs are not being contained.  I don't know what the answer is.  I suspect, though, that the single payer bit we DO have (Medicare/Medicaid) will soon be privatized, too.

Maybe we could all be given a prescription for "Optimism, three times daily with yummy meals and booze" and be done with it.  LOL!  There!  Everybody's cured!!

[Charlie B53]

I haven't read the study, yet. but I will as I have always opened it in a new tab.

The body is a marvelous machine.  Most of the time it takes pretty good care of itself if given the right nutrients in moderation and is used responsibly.  I dhose those words carefully as food can be mis-understood and interpreted to mean whatever a particular reader may.  Same with 'use'.  Exercise can mean many different things to many different people, poor choice of word.

It has been proven time after time how a positive attitude does have an effect on healing.  People heal much quicker, generally, in their own home.

The human brain is a very powerful entity.  Again, many many studies have proven how 'thought' can have an effect on healing.  Placebos in place of medication have been shown to heal measurably in many cases.

I firmly believe positive attitude, ie, thoughts, to be beneficial.

From there it is very easy to spin off into Religion.  For those that believe in Religion, Karma,can be a bitch.  Depending on your chosen Religion.  I don't know as I've made a choice yet.  I do read them all and find a great amount of similarity among them.  I just have a problem with 'organized' Religion.  I found many 'interpretations' of Bibles throughout time and greatly suspect these have been made by the powers that be at that time to reflect their own ends.

I believe that everything happens for a reason.  The problem with that is NOT knowing the reason.  It is not our place to know yet.  I believe that we learn something from all these events and people we encounter.  WHAT may not be evident.

When things do not go right it can be very difficult to maintain a positive attitude.   I believe it is a constant test.  And we ARE being graded.     I just wish I knew by who.

[cassandra]

...
When things do not go right it can be very difficult to maintain a positive attitude.   I believe it is a constant test.  And we ARE being graded.     I just wish I knew by who.

And I wish I knew why too. Enough already

[MooseMom]

So, if we are being tested, how do we know if we've passed or failed?

[cassandra]

So, if we are being tested, how do we know if we've passed or failed?

I think the answer will be: you have an extended life   


OMG I'm gonna fail   

[Charlie B53]

You ain't gonna fail, we're graded on a curve.  Everybody passes.

Except maybe those with unforgivable sin.  And it is written that even for those it is only for a time, then they too shall be rewarded.

Ain't that something to look forward to?  I like it.  So I'm not worried about the small, or larger, mistakes I've made, or maybe yet will make.