Re: Re: Researchers ask why optimism is associated with health, pessimism with disease

[Guest guest]

I think you have optimism mixed up with positive thinking.

I'm an optimist, I know things are going to get bad.

Regards

[ ] Re: Researchers ask why optimism is associated with health, pessimism with disease

Hi folks:What I have never understood about studies of this type is why they always compare 'optimists' with 'pessimists'. How about those who look at an issue - or a situation - realistically, take an attitude to it that befits the evidence, whatever it is, and then react/respond accordingly?For example, a patient having taken a carotid IMT test and being told: "Your number came out at 1.1 which is bad" who looks on 'the bright side' might say something like: "Well I feel fine and it hasn't killed me has it? So I am not going to worry about it." He sounds like an 'optimist' to me. But I personally would not want to be in his shoes. When I say this I have in mind someone I know who has exactly this, 'optimistic' but not realistic, attitude.Indeed, how about the hordes of people - probably the substantial majority - who pay little or no attention to their health until the roof caves in on them? They must all be 'optimists' because for them the bright side is that they are just not going to worry themselves about it.I suppose all of us here should be classified as pessimists because, having considered the facts about the high incidence of various diseases, we concern (worry?) ourselves about it enough to go to considerable lengths to modify our behavior ......... although perhaps it is desirable to distinguish between hypochondria and rational, evidence-based concern about matters of health. So, in my judgement, at least as it relates to health, optimism is over rated. Rodney. >> > Carolyn > Washington Post Staff Writer> Tuesday, January 12, 2010> > So, be honest: Is that glass half-full or half-empty?> > Personally, I tend toward the latter, though I secretly long to be one of> those Pollyannas who always look on the bright side of things and can remain> hopeful through a family crisis, two hours of downtown gridlock or any other> challenge. In fact, my New Year's resolution for '10 is to be more positive.> (Meanwhile, the pessimist in me is well aware that studies have shown that> roughly 80 percent of those who make such pledges give them up by> Valentine's Day.)> > My hope is that positive thinking will make me not only happier but> healthier, in the long run. A recent study published in the journal> Circulation showed that a sunnier outlook on life is associated with a lower> risk of heart disease and mortality. The research, which tracked more than> 97,000 women older than 50 for eight years, found that optimists were 9> percent less likely to develop heart disease and 14 percent less likely to> die from any cause than their pessimistic counterparts. Those with a high> degree of "cynical hostility" were 16 percent more likely than all others to> die during that same period.> > "This is really consistent with a number of other studies in the past, with> the strongest findings in the realm of coronary heart disease: There is good> evidence to suggest optimism is protective and that pessimism seems to be> detrimental, when it comes to the development of disease and future> outcomes," says Kubzansky, an associate professor at the Harvard> School of Public Health who has focused on these issues. "But what's a> little less clear is what the mechanisms are, or how that protective effect> occurs."> > Not surprisingly, environment seems to play some role in the equation. In> this study, for example, socioeconomic status was strongly tied to level of> optimism: The women with the most-positive outlook on life tended to be> wealthier, more educated, in better shape and less likely to smoke or to be> overweight. "It's not shocking that out of all the factors we looked at,> socioeconomic status was the most related to attitude, but even after> controlling for that, attitude was still related to health, so there's> something else going on," says lead author Tindle, an internist and> assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.> > Tindle says several factors are probably at play.> > One of the possibilities most interesting to scientists is that your> psychology has a direct effect on physiology, impacting blood pressure,> heart rate, stress hormone levels and immune function, all of which can> contribute to disease and mortality. For example, a study published last> year in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that higher levels of> pessimism are linked to unfavorable changes in inflammatory markers and> white blood cells.> > Tindle and her co-authors found that optimistic types are more likely to> engage in healthy behaviors such as eating well, exercising more and smoking> less; they're also more likely to have better social relationships,> something that has been associated with positive health outcomes.> > Finally, there is some evidence that optimistic women tend to adhere more> strictly to medical advice and treatment plans. The study "confirms what a> lot of physicians intrinsically know and experience over and over again, in> that the patients who see the world from a more positive view tend to be> better patients," observes cardiologist Klodas, author of "Slay> the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease." "They are> more adherent to their regimen, actually take your advice and follow it, and> are much more enthusiastic about making the lifestyle changes that are so> critical for cardiovascular disease prevention, whether primary or> secondary, after you've had an event; they are just better partners in> care."> > However, Klodas does raise concerns about the link between optimism and> better health: "Is it the chicken or the egg? Are you a better patient> because you have an intrinsic optimistic attitude, or do you become more> optimistic because your outcomes are better because you're following a> regimen that's actually helping you get better?"> > The study's authors, too, acknowledge that questions remain. "On the one> hand it seems intuitively obvious, but we're not there yet in terms of the> evidence we need in order to say optimism causes better health outcomes,"> says Tindle. "All we can say now is that optimism is associated with better> health outcomes, but without following people over a lifetime, we can't say> which came first."> > Although further research is necessary (and underway), Tindle stands firm in> her belief that a poor outlook on life is detrimental to health. "The> totality of evidence . . . points to the fact that sustained negativity is> toxic to health, and I would absolutely say that it's important for people> to try to reduce the amount of it in their lives."> > Coming from a long line of devoted pessimists, I can't help but wonder how> possible it is to revamp your attitude and fill that half-empty glass.> > Though genetics do come into play, you're not necessarily destined for a> life of doom and gloom, says Maddux, a psychology professor at > Mason University. "It's not a matter of having an optimistic or pessimistic> gene, it's matter of having a brain or nervous system wired more toward the> optimistic or pessimistic end, with a lot of room for learning and exerting> control over your own outlook of life," he explains. "We're really talking> about a continuum with high optimism on one end and low optimism or high> pessimism on the other end, and people fall somewhere in between. And> probably from time to time, depending on the situation, we move back and> forth between some range that's set by our DNA."> > Maddux and other experts suggest a variety of techniques for moving toward> the sunnier side of that spectrum, from cognitive behavioral therapy and> lifestyle changes such as sleeping more and making additional time for> friends, to relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.> > "These things do not directly impact optimism, per se, but may make it> easier to view the world through a happier, more optimistic lens and> increase the general sense of positive feelings," says Harvard's Kubzansky.> "There's a lot of room to maneuver; I'm very optimistic about that. We do> come into the world with an inherent tendency, but then there's room to> shape it."> > Yet she acknowledges that it's hard work: "There are lots of ways to achieve> it, but I don't think any are trivial. . . . Different people may get there> differently, but at some level there needs to be a commitment on their part> to figure out 'What are my habitual ways of thinking, and how can I change> them so other things become habitual?' There has to be concerted effort and> thought put into how you're going to make meaningful change. That said, I> think it can definitely be done."> > Still, Klodas isn't ready to start prescribing an attitude shift to her> cardiology patients just yet. "There are many positives to being more> positive, but based on this research, we still don't know for sure whether> an attitude change will actually impact health outcomes," she says, although> she remains, well, optimistic that proof is on the way. "I hope somebody> does a study and shows it, because it would be really nice to work on. I> would much rather try to help somebody get a better attitude than prescribe> another pill.">__________ NOD32 4389 (20090902) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

We look to the future, and guess the best path and we evaluate a lot of

data.

If it doesn't make good sense, we ignore it, or we make judgements based on

experience or cost or choice.

I don't have to be an optimist to invest in land with the hope of selling it

at a higher price - at some point in the future it will be higher.

I don't have to be an optimist to think that CR is the only means we know to

extend lfe.

Now I would call a person who smokes and drinks, eg, saying CR won't work, a

pessimist driven by his habits.

Whether the belief in either is life threatening, I would doubt, but there

is a thing called depression where an indivdual sees no way things can get

better, like a 96 yo with ARMD. It effects his eating and he dies.

Given just two words to categorize everything is how people write books, but

things are rarely that simple. We're always living between the extremes.

I tend to think middle road and am accused of being this or that and I hate

having a label pinned on me.

I believe I can accomplish anything I want, provided there aren't

restrictions.

I believe I'll live easily to 96 yo realizing that averages are made up of

people below and ABOVE the average.

That's 22 yrs longer than my dad.

Is that optimistic or other?

If I can believe those then I must plan for it, and planning makes a lot of

difference in the way of success, which, BTW, I wouldn't call the Nobel

prize a req't.

There are situations in history like early man caught in freezing cold

finding a cave to take cover and judging whether a bear is in there. Either

way he might die, but for sure he needs the cave. An optimist would solve

that in a second. A viewer might say foolhardy, another might say wait till

he feeds the bear.

Regards

[ ] Re: Researchers ask why optimism is associated

with health, pessimism with disease

>

>

>

> Hi folks:

>

> What I have never understood about studies of this type is why they always

compare 'optimists' with 'pessimists'.

>

> How about those who look at an issue - or a situation - realistically,

take an attitude to it that befits the evidence, whatever it is, and then

react/respond accordingly?

>

> For example, a patient having taken a carotid IMT test and being told:

" Your number came out at 1.1 which is bad " who looks on 'the bright side'

might say something like: " Well I feel fine and it hasn't killed me has it?

So I am not going to worry about it. " He sounds like an 'optimist' to me.

But I personally would not want to be in his shoes. When I say this I have

in mind someone I know who has exactly this, 'optimistic' but not realistic,

attitude.

>

> Indeed, how about the hordes of people - probably the substantial

majority - who pay little or no attention to their health until the roof

caves in on them? They must all be 'optimists' because for them the bright

side is that they are just not going to worry themselves about it.

>

> I suppose all of us here should be classified as pessimists because,

having considered the facts about the high incidence of various diseases, we

concern (worry?) ourselves about it enough to go to considerable lengths to

modify our behavior ......... although perhaps it is desirable to

distinguish between hypochondria and rational, evidence-based concern about

matters of health.

>

> So, in my judgement, at least as it relates to health, optimism is over

rated.

>

> Rodney.

>

> --- In , Francesca Skelton <fskelton@>

wrote:

> >

> >

> > Carolyn

> > Washington Post Staff Writer

> > Tuesday, January 12, 2010

> >

> > So, be honest: Is that glass half-full or half-empty?

> >

> > Personally, I tend toward the latter, though I secretly long to be one

of

> > those Pollyannas who always look on the bright side of things and can

remain

> > hopeful through a family crisis, two hours of downtown gridlock or any

other

> > challenge. In fact, my New Year's resolution for '10 is to be more

positive.

> > (Meanwhile, the pessimist in me is well aware that studies have shown

that

> > roughly 80 percent of those who make such pledges give them up by

> > Valentine's Day.)

> >

> > My hope is that positive thinking will make me not only happier but

> > healthier, in the long run. A recent study published in the journal

> > Circulation showed that a sunnier outlook on life is associated with a

lower

> > risk of heart disease and mortality. The research, which tracked more

than

> > 97,000 women older than 50 for eight years, found that optimists were 9

> > percent less likely to develop heart disease and 14 percent less likely

to

> > die from any cause than their pessimistic counterparts. Those with a

high

> > degree of " cynical hostility " were 16 percent more likely than all

others to

> > die during that same period.

> >

> > " This is really consistent with a number of other studies in the past,

with

> > the strongest findings in the realm of coronary heart disease: There is

good

> > evidence to suggest optimism is protective and that pessimism seems to

be

> > detrimental, when it comes to the development of disease and future

> > outcomes, " says Kubzansky, an associate professor at the Harvard

> > School of Public Health who has focused on these issues. " But what's a

> > little less clear is what the mechanisms are, or how that protective

effect

> > occurs. "

> >

> > Not surprisingly, environment seems to play some role in the equation.

In

> > this study, for example, socioeconomic status was strongly tied to level

of

> > optimism: The women with the most-positive outlook on life tended to be

> > wealthier, more educated, in better shape and less likely to smoke or to

be

> > overweight. " It's not shocking that out of all the factors we looked at,

> > socioeconomic status was the most related to attitude, but even after

> > controlling for that, attitude was still related to health, so there's

> > something else going on, " says lead author Tindle, an internist

and

> > assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

> >

> > Tindle says several factors are probably at play.

> >

> > One of the possibilities most interesting to scientists is that your

> > psychology has a direct effect on physiology, impacting blood pressure,

> > heart rate, stress hormone levels and immune function, all of which can

> > contribute to disease and mortality. For example, a study published last

> > year in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that higher

levels of

> > pessimism are linked to unfavorable changes in inflammatory markers and

> > white blood cells.

> >

> > Tindle and her co-authors found that optimistic types are more likely to

> > engage in healthy behaviors such as eating well, exercising more and

smoking

> > less; they're also more likely to have better social relationships,

> > something that has been associated with positive health outcomes.

> >

> > Finally, there is some evidence that optimistic women tend to adhere

more

> > strictly to medical advice and treatment plans. The study " confirms what

a

> > lot of physicians intrinsically know and experience over and over again,

in

> > that the patients who see the world from a more positive view tend to be

> > better patients, " observes cardiologist Klodas, author of

" Slay

> > the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease. " " They

are

> > more adherent to their regimen, actually take your advice and follow it,

and

> > are much more enthusiastic about making the lifestyle changes that are

so

> > critical for cardiovascular disease prevention, whether primary or

> > secondary, after you've had an event; they are just better partners in

> > care. "

> >

> > However, Klodas does raise concerns about the link between optimism and

> > better health: " Is it the chicken or the egg? Are you a better patient

> > because you have an intrinsic optimistic attitude, or do you become more

> > optimistic because your outcomes are better because you're following a

> > regimen that's actually helping you get better? "

> >

> > The study's authors, too, acknowledge that questions remain. " On the one

> > hand it seems intuitively obvious, but we're not there yet in terms of

the

> > evidence we need in order to say optimism causes better health

outcomes, "

> > says Tindle. " All we can say now is that optimism is associated with

better

> > health outcomes, but without following people over a lifetime, we can't

say

> > which came first. "

> >

> > Although further research is necessary (and underway), Tindle stands

firm in

> > her belief that a poor outlook on life is detrimental to health. " The

> > totality of evidence . . . points to the fact that sustained negativity

is

> > toxic to health, and I would absolutely say that it's important for

people

> > to try to reduce the amount of it in their lives. "

> >

> > Coming from a long line of devoted pessimists, I can't help but wonder

how

> > possible it is to revamp your attitude and fill that half-empty glass.

> >

> > Though genetics do come into play, you're not necessarily destined for a

> > life of doom and gloom, says Maddux, a psychology professor at

> > Mason University. " It's not a matter of having an optimistic or

pessimistic

> > gene, it's matter of having a brain or nervous system wired more toward

the

> > optimistic or pessimistic end, with a lot of room for learning and

exerting

> > control over your own outlook of life, " he explains. " We're really

talking

> > about a continuum with high optimism on one end and low optimism or high

> > pessimism on the other end, and people fall somewhere in between. And

> > probably from time to time, depending on the situation, we move back and

> > forth between some range that's set by our DNA. "

> >

> > Maddux and other experts suggest a variety of techniques for moving

toward

> > the sunnier side of that spectrum, from cognitive behavioral therapy and

> > lifestyle changes such as sleeping more and making additional time for

> > friends, to relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.

> >

> > " These things do not directly impact optimism, per se, but may make it

> > easier to view the world through a happier, more optimistic lens and

> > increase the general sense of positive feelings, " says Harvard's

Kubzansky.

> > " There's a lot of room to maneuver; I'm very optimistic about that. We

do

> > come into the world with an inherent tendency, but then there's room to

> > shape it. "

> >

> > Yet she acknowledges that it's hard work: " There are lots of ways to

achieve

> > it, but I don't think any are trivial. . . . Different people may get

there

> > differently, but at some level there needs to be a commitment on their

part

> > to figure out 'What are my habitual ways of thinking, and how can I

change

> > them so other things become habitual?' There has to be concerted effort

and

> > thought put into how you're going to make meaningful change. That said,

I

> > think it can definitely be done. "

> >

> > Still, Klodas isn't ready to start prescribing an attitude shift to her

> > cardiology patients just yet. " There are many positives to being more

> > positive, but based on this research, we still don't know for sure

whether

> > an attitude change will actually impact health outcomes, " she says,

although

> > she remains, well, optimistic that proof is on the way. " I hope somebody

> > does a study and shows it, because it would be really nice to work on. I

> > would much rather try to help somebody get a better attitude than

prescribe

> > another pill. "

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> __________ NOD32 4389 (20090902) Information __________

>

> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

> http://www.eset.com

>

__________ NOD32 4389 (20090902) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

I would think that there are "Looking through rose-colored glasses optimists" who think erroneously that all is right with the world and take no action. "Realist" optimists would be better at responding to health challenges and health information.-- Aalt Pater

From: perspect1111 <perspect1111@...>Subject: [ ] Re: Researchers ask why optimism is associated with health, pessimism with disease Received: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 10:30 AM

Hi JW!You have prompted me to check the definition of 'optimism', which I had not done prior to my earlier post. I found the following:"Main Entry: op·ti·mism Pronunciation: \ & #712;äp-t & # 601;- & #716; mi-z & #601; m\Function: noun Etymology: French optimisme, from Latin optimum, noun, best, from neuter of optimus best; akin to Latin ops power — more at opulentDate: 17591 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome."These days there is extensive information available from readily accessible sources about how best to preserve health and extend lifespan. But it seems that the majority choose to ignore this information, and not infrequently do the very opposite of what the information suggests. Are not these people "anticipating the best possible outcome"

from their inaction? Or do you think they are anticipating that as a result of their inaction they will die early after being sick for many years from largely avoidable diseases?I dunno. Perhaps some are expecting the latter? But then if so, would they be classified as optimists? I have no difficulty with the idea that inveterate pessimism is likely to be injurious to health. But I do have trouble with *unwarranted* optimism.Rodney.> >> > > > Carolyn > > Washington Post Staff Writer> > Tuesday, January 12, 2010> > > > So, be honest: Is that glass half-full or half-empty?> > > > Personally, I tend toward the latter, though I secretly long to be one of> > those Pollyannas who always look on the bright side of things and can remain> > hopeful through a family crisis, two hours of downtown gridlock or any other> > challenge. In fact, my New Year's resolution for '10 is to be more positive.>

> (Meanwhile, the pessimist in me is well aware that studies have shown that> > roughly 80 percent of those who make such pledges give them up by> > Valentine's Day.)> > > > My hope is that positive thinking will make me not only happier but> > healthier, in the long run. A recent study published in the journal> > Circulation showed that a sunnier outlook on life is associated with a lower> > risk of heart disease and mortality. The research, which tracked more than> > 97,000 women older than 50 for eight years, found that optimists were 9> > percent less likely to develop heart disease and 14 percent less likely to> > die from any cause than their pessimistic counterparts. Those with a high> > degree of "cynical hostility" were 16 percent more likely than all others to> > die during that same period.> > > >

"This is really consistent with a number of other studies in the past, with> > the strongest findings in the realm of coronary heart disease: There is good> > evidence to suggest optimism is protective and that pessimism seems to be> > detrimental, when it comes to the development of disease and future> > outcomes," says Kubzansky, an associate professor at the Harvard> > School of Public Health who has focused on these issues. "But what's a> > little less clear is what the mechanisms are, or how that protective effect> > occurs."> > > > Not surprisingly, environment seems to play some role in the equation. In> > this study, for example, socioeconomic status was strongly tied to level of> > optimism: The women with the most-positive outlook on life tended to be> > wealthier, more educated, in better shape and less likely to smoke

or to be> > overweight. "It's not shocking that out of all the factors we looked at,> > socioeconomic status was the most related to attitude, but even after> > controlling for that, attitude was still related to health, so there's> > something else going on," says lead author Tindle, an internist and> > assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.> > > > Tindle says several factors are probably at play.> > > > One of the possibilities most interesting to scientists is that your> > psychology has a direct effect on physiology, impacting blood pressure,> > heart rate, stress hormone levels and immune function, all of which can> > contribute to disease and mortality. For example, a study published last> > year in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that higher levels of> >

pessimism are linked to unfavorable changes in inflammatory markers and> > white blood cells.> > > > Tindle and her co-authors found that optimistic types are more likely to> > engage in healthy behaviors such as eating well, exercising more and smoking> > less; they're also more likely to have better social relationships,> > something that has been associated with positive health outcomes.> > > > Finally, there is some evidence that optimistic women tend to adhere more> > strictly to medical advice and treatment plans. The study "confirms what a> > lot of physicians intrinsically know and experience over and over again, in> > that the patients who see the world from a more positive view tend to be> > better patients," observes cardiologist Klodas, author of "Slay> > the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating

Heart Disease." "They are> > more adherent to their regimen, actually take your advice and follow it, and> > are much more enthusiastic about making the lifestyle changes that are so> > critical for cardiovascular disease prevention, whether primary or> > secondary, after you've had an event; they are just better partners in> > care."> > > > However, Klodas does raise concerns about the link between optimism and> > better health: "Is it the chicken or the egg? Are you a better patient> > because you have an intrinsic optimistic attitude, or do you become more> > optimistic because your outcomes are better because you're following a> > regimen that's actually helping you get better?"> > > > The study's authors, too, acknowledge that questions remain. "On the one> > hand it seems intuitively obvious, but we're not

there yet in terms of the> > evidence we need in order to say optimism causes better health outcomes,"> > says Tindle. "All we can say now is that optimism is associated with better> > health outcomes, but without following people over a lifetime, we can't say> > which came first."> > > > Although further research is necessary (and underway), Tindle stands firm in> > her belief that a poor outlook on life is detrimental to health. "The> > totality of evidence . . . points to the fact that sustained negativity is> > toxic to health, and I would absolutely say that it's important for people> > to try to reduce the amount of it in their lives."> > > > Coming from a long line of devoted pessimists, I can't help but wonder how> > possible it is to revamp your attitude and fill that half-empty glass.> > > >

Though genetics do come into play, you're not necessarily destined for a> > life of doom and gloom, says Maddux, a psychology professor at > > Mason University. "It's not a matter of having an optimistic or pessimistic> > gene, it's matter of having a brain or nervous system wired more toward the> > optimistic or pessimistic end, with a lot of room for learning and exerting> > control over your own outlook of life," he explains. "We're really talking> > about a continuum with high optimism on one end and low optimism or high> > pessimism on the other end, and people fall somewhere in between. And> > probably from time to time, depending on the situation, we move back and> > forth between some range that's set by our DNA."> > > > Maddux and other experts suggest a variety of techniques for moving toward> > the sunnier side

of that spectrum, from cognitive behavioral therapy and> > lifestyle changes such as sleeping more and making additional time for> > friends, to relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.> > > > "These things do not directly impact optimism, per se, but may make it> > easier to view the world through a happier, more optimistic lens and> > increase the general sense of positive feelings," says Harvard's Kubzansky.> > "There's a lot of room to maneuver; I'm very optimistic about that. We do> > come into the world with an inherent tendency, but then there's room to> > shape it."> > > > Yet she acknowledges that it's hard work: "There are lots of ways to achieve> > it, but I don't think any are trivial. . . . Different people may get there> > differently, but at some level there needs to be a commitment on their

part> > to figure out 'What are my habitual ways of thinking, and how can I change> > them so other things become habitual?' There has to be concerted effort and> > thought put into how you're going to make meaningful change. That said, I> > think it can definitely be done."> > > > Still, Klodas isn't ready to start prescribing an attitude shift to her> > cardiology patients just yet. "There are many positives to being more> > positive, but based on this research, we still don't know for sure whether> > an attitude change will actually impact health outcomes," she says, although> > she remains, well, optimistic that proof is on the way. "I hope somebody> > does a study and shows it, because it would be really nice to work on. I> > would much rather try to help somebody get a better attitude than prescribe> > another

pill."> >> > > > > > __________ NOD32 4389 (20090902) Information __________> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.> http://www.eset. com>

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