Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - Lou Holtz
The Glass is Half Full
Positive Psychology is "the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive" according to Dr. Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania. Positive psychology is much more than just thinking happy thoughts, it's about aligning positive emotions with individual traits and institutions to create a fulfilled, thriving you. I'm particularly interested in how the power of positivity correlates to health and goal setting, as it directly impacts my clients and their success.
Optimism and your Health
There have been quite a few studies conducted on the effects of optimism/positive thinking and health/resiliency.
Optimism can influence how long you live: "An ongoing government study of more than 100,000 women over age 50...the team found that eight years into the study, optimistic women were 14% more likely to be alive than their pessimistic peers", according to the Women's Health Initiative Study.
Optimism can decrease your risk of coronary artery disease: 97,253 participants in the Women's Health Initiative study were given questionnaires assessing optimism and cynical hostility. "The most cynical, hostile women had higher rates of coronary heart disease and total mortality. Optimists had a lower rate of coronary artery disease, coronary artery disease-related mortality, cancer-related mortality and total mortality" (from the American Heart Association Journal).
According to the Mayo Clinic, an optimistic outlook can also lead to:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
Positivity and Goal Setting
Optimism is crucial to your success, especially when planning and preparing for challenging goals. How will you lose 5, 10, 20 pounds (or more!) if you truly don't believe in your self? How can you see yourself being fitter and healthier if you know you don't have the willpower because you've failed before?
I'm here to help you re frame those negative thoughts. The mental aspect of changing is often much more difficult than the physical adaptations because many of the thoughts and feelings we have regarding our selves, our willpower, and our self worth come automatically.
If you struggle with self-value or self-worth, keeping a journal and writing down when/where/why you thought poorly about your self can lead to valuable insights.
If you have a hard time thinking that the glass is half-full it can be beneficial to borrow a page from cognitive-behavioral therapy. HelpGuide, a non-profit mental health web site, recommends the following steps:
- Identifying your negative thoughts
- Challenging your negative thoughts
- Replacing negative thoughts with realistic thoughts
If willpower is your biggest concern your best assets will be a SMART action plan and vision to keep you on your path. Your SMART goals are the action steps you must take to achieve your dream.
But wait...there's a slice of cake sitting in front of me and the cake is right here, right now and my dream is still 50 lbs away.
This is where your vision comes into play. Ideally, the vision is something tangible like a collage in your office, a picture or quote saved on your phone, or something else easily accessible. It's easy to disregard logical thoughts and long-term goals when you're faced with a short-term temptation.
Plan ahead and truly believe in yourself and your goals and you'll be on the path to success with no self-doubt, no lack of willpower, and certainly no excuses.
Ready to make your health goals a reality via the power of planning and positive thinking? Contact me at SeeMeFit for a consultation.
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