{"id":11046,"date":"2021-06-27T13:05:02","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T12:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theguthealthdoctor.com\/?p=11046"},"modified":"2023-03-01T10:22:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T10:22:03","slug":"the-power-of-positive-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theguthealthdoctor.com\/the-power-of-positive-thinking","title":{"rendered":"The power of positive thinking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you an optimist? Turns out you might live longer if you are! You probably know exercise and nutrition are key to a healthy heart, but we don’t often think about how our mindsets could be affecting our health…<\/p>\n

Now a systematic review has found our way of thinking – whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist – can also have a significant influence. Our minds are powerful!<\/p>\n

The study<\/strong>
\nResearchers pooled together 10 studies on cardiovascular disease with over 200,000 people in total (aka a systematic review).<\/p>\n

Participants answered questionnaires or took short tests to assess their optimism vs pessimism. Take the quiz for yourself<\/a>!<\/p>\n

What they found<\/strong>
\n– Optimism was linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular issues
\n– More optimistic people also had a lower risk of all-cause mortality<\/p>\n

How?<\/strong>
\nMore studies need to be done before we know exactly how this link works, but research has suggested:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Optimistic people tend to have better diet quality and exercise more regularly
\n2. Pessimism has been linked to increased inflammation, blood pressure and impaired metabolic function<\/p>\n

It’s been a crazy old year and it’s only natural to be less optimistic right now.<\/p>\n

But the good news is that our mindset is largely modifiable, so if you’re on the more pessimistic side, it could be worth trying to adjust and start thinking positively** – for your mental health and heart health!<\/p>\n

Sounds like Eric Idle was right… Always look on the bright side of life! (if you’re too young to know the song, ask your older relatives)<\/p>\n

Do you guys have any tips and tricks that work for you to help you think more positively? Would love to hear them!<\/p>\n

**I know many people have lost loved ones, their jobs etc. and thinking positive feels near impossible\u2026. and that\u2019s okay. Trust me I get it. Sending you a virtual hug, because life can really be unfair sometimes. Things will get easier, although I know it might not feel that way in the moment.**<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you an optimist? Turns out you might live longer if you are! You probably know exercise and nutrition are key to a healthy heart, but we don’t often think about how our mindsets could be affecting our health… Now a systematic review has found our way of thinking – whether you’re an optimist or…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beyond-the-gut"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe power of positive thinking | The Gut Health Doctor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you an optimist? Turns out you might live longer if you are! 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