Orsus

Does a positive mental view improve our physical health?

As autumn continues, the weather turns, and daylight hours become shorter I have noticed different ways in which people view the change of season:
• Some view it as the end of summer with nothing more to look forward to but cold, darkness and winter viruses.
• Others view the time of year as a time to look forward to cosy evenings by a warm fire, snuggling into fluffy jumpers and planning for Christmas.

I became curious about how this positive or negative view might impact on the mental and physical health of these people, so I did a little research.

As with everything, there is a huge amount of information available on how positive thoughts might impact on our bodies – some is more scientifically based than others and of course some is contradictory. I did find some interesting studies linking positivity or optimism to healthier bodies.

One such study was undertaken in 2019 by Dr Laura Kubzansky, Co-director of the Centre for Health and Happiness at Harvard School of Public Health. She observed nearly 70,000 nurses and discovered that the more optimistic of these had an estimated 15% longer lifespan. One possible explanation for this is that people who exhibit more positive emotions are better at dealing with stressful situations and so have lower levels of cortisol in their blood. This is important since cortisol is a hormone that can lead to inflammation and can also dampen the replenishing action of telomerase – an enzyme that protects our chromosomes and can help with anything from heart disease to lung conditions and aging.

Research by molecular biologist Dr Elizabeth Blackburn (awarded the Nobel Prize in 2009 for her research on telomerase) found that, on average, pessimists have less telomerase than optimists. In one study, 30 volunteers spent 3 months at a retreat meditating for 6 hours a day. The levels of telomerase in their cells was found to be one-third higher compared to another group who did not go on the retreat. Dr Blackburn and her team believe this was related to the general improved sense of wellbeing rather than the meditation in particular. Therefore, they surmise that anything that increases our sense of wellbeing should improve our telomerase levels and thus our overall health.

Dr Kubansky also notes that there are some studies linking depression to changes in the bacteria and other organisms in the gut. This is important since these organisms are linked to several aspects of our physical health including whether we are overweight. She believes it may be possible that a more positive mental state could positively impact the gut.

Linking the above facts suggests that thinking more positively should increase our physical health due to the reduced cortisol, increased telomerase, and improved gut health. So, it seems that those looking forward to the onset of winter may be likely to have a healthier time, and possibly longer life.

If you would like to have a more positive outlook, challenge yourself to write down three positive things that happen to you, or around you each day. Once this becomes too easy, increase it to five things each day. You should soon find yourself noticing many more positives and begin to naturally see the silver linings.

For more details on the studies referenced above take a look at:
https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/blog/positive-thinking-and-the-power-of-placebo/
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/the-brain-can-you-really-think-yourself-healthy/

This helps with work tasks but also personal goals and chores

Do This Ritual At The End Of Each Week To Become More Productive On the surface it’s about getting your daily work done, but on a deeper level it’s about re-framing who you are really working for.

Absolutely! Far better to take a small step in the right direction than no step at all

The Compound Effect As I glanced around this morning, pondering on my blog topic for today, I was drawn to my copy of ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy, which is sitting on my desk. I read this book a …

Some with this lovely graphic on the benefits of bilingualism.

Let's have a great language learning week 😍

Great interview with Hypno-birthing practitioner, Sam Rose, on the Chris Evans breakfast show this morning

Hypnobirthing hype! Why does Chris think it's the way forward for mums-to-be?, Chris Packham and Hypnobirthing!, The Chris Evans Breakfast Show - BBC Radio 2 Practitioner and trainer Sam Rose gives Chris the A-Z of this birthing technique.

This is fantastic research. I'm just popping out to buy my cape...

Pretending to be Batman helps kids stay on task Adults may be tempted to give this technique a go too

Fancy a boost to your self-confidence or self-esteem?
Take a look at this:

Blog - Orsus Orsus Coaching & People Management

Feeling inspired today by this article on boosting self-esteem

Boosting Self-Esteem for Teens - By Bev James | Blog | The Coaching Academy Self-esteem is a make-up of the thoughts, feelings and opinions we hold about ourselves, over time these habits of negative thinking can create beliefs about how we see ourselves and dent our self-worth. These beliefs however aren’t fixed and can change, depending on the way we think.

Take a look at the first ever Orsus blog - http://www.orsus.org.uk/blog

Blog - Orsus Orsus Coaching & People Management