How Optimism Can Help Your Senior

“A little goes a long way” as the saying goes, and the same is true for optimism. Here at Summerfield, we do our best to share our positive attitudes and good vibes with the independent senior housing and assisted living in Utah county. While the positive mindset alleviates stress and encourages mental well-being, there are also numerous studies proving the positive outlook affects physical health.

Studies show a positive mindset is also associated with a lower chance of disease. A review of 15 studies with over 200,000 participants found a 35% lower chance of getting heart disease and a 14% lower chance of early death in people who were optimists. People who are optimistic also have better results following surgery, with fewer complications requiring hospital readmission. This may be related to the finding that optimists have better coping skills when dealing with stress and setbacks.

Being optimistic is associated with biological risk factors such as lower blood sugar and cholesterol. In addition, that positive thinking may boost your immunity and reduce your chances of infection and cancer. Even after considering healthy behaviors, optimistic people had a 15% longer lifespan and 50% greater chance of living past 85 than people with a negative outlook. The conclusion drawn is that something more is at work besides just behavior.

The big question remains, How can I be optimistic? Below are 5 suggestions for boosting your optimism, and in turn your health:

1. Keep a Gratitude Diary. Paying attention to the good things as they happen can really open your eyes to appreciation, no matter one’s status with health or otherwise. By writing down the positive aspects around you, you can more actively take notice and inventory of the good things going on, even if not apparent at first glance.
2. Help someone out. Whether it’s baking cookies for a new neighbor, or cutting a cup full of flowers for a long-time friend, there are always ways to serve those around us. By serving those around us even in a small way, we feel connected. On a biological level, dopamine levels are boosted when completing a task, releasing physical feelings of fulfillment and well-being.
3. Try yoga. The ancient exercise of yoga is an exercise in both mind and body. Controlled breathwork lowers the blood pressure, letting the mind focus and process present stresses.
4. Don’t try to predict the future. Anxiety is a feeling and reaction to stresses, but anxiety can also stem from a fear of the unknown. While guessing how scenarios may play out can prepare one for a possible future, it also can cause undue stress and anxiety from dangers that are not real.
5. Get enough sleep. While YouTube and Instagram certainly have engaging videos, nothing makes up for lost energy like sleep. Sleep decreases cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for causing stress. When the body feels recharged and rested, our best thoughts and attitudes start our day, setting the tone until the next sundown.

In conclusion, we take pride in sharing our genuine smiles and friendship with our residents, and we do all we can to promote their well-being from the inside out. If you are looking for luxury senior facilities near me, come stop by and see if we can brighten your day. For more information, contact a representative at (801) 434-7581.