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Healthy You Archives |
Caring for Mind and Body
Optimism and AgingIt’s a fact—positive thinking can make you happier and healthier
The Municipal Band of Allentown puts a smile in the hearts of both listeners and performers. Music is a great way to stay tuned in to happy feelings and an optimistic attitude. Pictured above is Melody DiStefano and Sharon Grumbein, below is Dolores Kramer.  Put on a happy face Wipe off the clouds and cheer up Put on a happy face… Like these lyrics from “Bye Bye Birdie,” or Louis Armstrong’s beloved “What a Wonderful World,” there are messages of optimism in music of all kinds. And it turns out there’s good reason to listen to upbeat music. Research shows that when you have a positive attitude, you also tend to have better health and a happier life. “Several studies reveal that people who are more optimistic tend to recover better from health and other problems,” says psychiatrist Edward Norris, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “Among heart attack patients, for example, mental outlook was a better predictor of survival than medical factors. And optimistic people recovered faster with fewer complications after coronary artery bypass surgery.” No one really knows why this is so, Norris says. But it’s grounded in the concept of resiliency—how well you cope with challenges and adversities. Sam Iorio says it’s all in how you look at life. “Good things and bad things are happening all the time,” says the Dale Carnegie trainer. “Your outlook is based on what you choose to focus on. If you only look at the bad, you’ll soon get discouraged and pessimistic. If you focus on the good, you’ll be happier—and it’s a lot easier to be happy.” Staying active and having a purpose in life also contribute to optimism, Iorio says. “They create positive momentum to help you make changes when you need to. Sometimes you just have to stop thinking about it and get started!” Can you change your mindset if you’re not naturally optimistic? Yes! “The first step is to recognize a pessimistic attitude and call a halt to it,” Iorio says. “Then you can start working on changing it.” Here are suggestions on how to do that: Count your blessings. Recognize what you have in life—family, health, economic stability, etc. Think about your achievements and the obstacles you’ve overcome. This helps put your life in perspective. Associate with positive-minded people and stay away from those who bring you down. Read uplifting books. Listen to upbeat music. It’s hard to be unhappy when you’re tapping to a Sousa march! Get involved in community organizations. You’ll help others and avoid isolation. Smile, laugh, joke and watch funny movies. Exercise. It’s good for you and lifts your spirits. While mental illness is no more common in older people than younger, depression can impair your outlook. If you can’t shake the sadness or negative feelings, get help from a mental health professional. “When all is said and done, it’s not how long you live but how well you live,” Iorio says. “We’re all faced with challenges as we age. But if you don’t brood on them and can find ways to be pleasant and happy, you’ll really be living.”
Want to Know More? Click here for the Municipal Band of Allentown schedule or call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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 November December 2008 Eating Healthy
Staying Fit
Caring for Mind and Body
Just for Women
Just for Men
Raising a Family
Heart of Healthy You
Protecting Your Health
Coping with Illness
Aging Well
Keeping Up to Date
Weight Control
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