How we handle stress depends upon our attitude. Attitude can also affect the way stress handles us. Optimists are able to cope more effectively with stress. It also reduces their chances of developing a stress-related illness. When optimistic people do become ill, they tend to recover more quickly.
Pessimists
are likely to deny the problem, distance themselves from the stressful event,
focus on stressful feelings, or allow the stressor to in interfere with
achieving a goal. People with a more
pessimistic attitude tend to report poorer health compared to people with
optimistic attitudes.
People
with positive attitudes view situations differently from those with negative
attitudes. Here are some general
statements. Think about how you would respond to them.
·
In times of uncertainty,
o
I usually expect the best.
o
I usually expect the worst.
·
I look on the,
o
Bright side of things.
o
Dark side of things.
·
I,
o
Hardly ever expect things to go my
way.
o
Do not always expect things to go my
way; when they don’t, I try to learn something from the experience.
Attitudes can even be detected in the words
we use. For example, “I won’t,” indicates
choice, whereas “I can’t” indicates powerlessness.
Our
attitudes develop from the time we are children. It is difficult for pessimists to change
overnight. One way to start developing a
more positive attitude is through “thought stopping.” Start by noticing your attitude in various
situations to see if you have a more pessimistic view.
The
next time you are thinking or saying a pessimistic comment, picture a big, red
STOP sign stopping the negative thought.
Then replace that thought, or the statement, with a more positive or
optimistic statement, with a more positive or optimistic statement.
If
you feel that your negative attitude toward life could be affecting your
health, there are several books on positive thinking available in the market
that may give you a lot of help.
œœœœ
No comments:
Post a Comment