Running head: OPTIMISM AND HEALTH 1

Optimism and Health

Nichol James
PSY/220
July 13, 2014
Camisha Williams
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Optimism and Health
Bolt (2004), optimists cope with stressful events, from dealing with unfamiliar
environments to major health concerns, more effectively than pessimists (p. 160-161).
Optimists are less likely to develop and face problems and stress in life then pessimist. Optimism
reinforces resistance to different problems and stress in life weather the problems and forms of
stress are related to social, physical, psychological, or health concerns. Optimism reduces stress
and allows one to be open-mind about positive outcomes in life. One who is optimistic is
believed to have a better outlook on life in general and this can lead to a greater physical well-
being of health and psychological well-being as well. A greater physical well-being of health and
a greater psychological well-being can lead to a longer healthier life. Optimism also leads to
greater experiences in life. The argument and belief in the peer reviewed article is that optimism
directly relates to psychological well-being and well-being of health based on environmental and
genetic influences.

Optimism is the tendency to look on the brighter side of things or to expect and see the
best in all things. Optimism can be linked to health as stress can cause damage to a person inside
and out. Thinking positively will help you be happier, healthier and things will most likely turn
out better for you as well. There are two liberated types of optimism: dispositional optimism,
which is comparable to other character traits, and explanatory optimism, which affects an
individual's clarification of success and failure. Those with high scores on optimism have better
health results, and when they are challenged with serious illnesses, they will cope with it in a
better, healthier way. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.) offers one possible intervention
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that may or may not increase a person's level of optimism with a corresponding increase in
health.
Although, if someone has an optimistic view and believes that everything will go their
way and nothing will ever go wrong, then negative things can happen. Behavioral risks can be
lead from having this attitude, such as: having unprotected sex, using drugs and alcohol, and not
taking care of their mental or physical health like they should. I know that when I become more
pessimistic then optimistic I tend to make more unhealthy choices then when I am optimistic. I
do feel that optimism does have an impact on physical and mental health and can be either
positive or negative, in my opinion.
Those that are happy with a more optimistic outlook on things such as life, have a
healthier and stronger immunity to things. Optimists cope in ways that are beneficial to their
health and reduce or eliminate stressors and problems so they can produce positive effects on
their immune system. I have been stressed and worried over different situations and the more I
worry, the unhealthier I get, causing my immune system to crash and then I tend to become sick
and it seems as though it only gets worse from there. However, if I had been more positive, I
would have been happier and therefore my immune system would be healthier as well and things
would just get better from there. Those who are more optimistic seem to become more successful
in life because they are more focused on their goals thinking with a clear mind and always
looking with their heads up.
I would have to say that I agree with both sides of optimism causing positive or negative
effects on physical and psychological health. A person who has a positive outlook on life is most
likely going to life a pretty healthy life. Just because optimism can be a good thing does not
mean that it cannot turn into a bad thing if used improperly or excessively. You must try and
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keep a positive view about anything and everything, but also keep in mind what could go wrong
so it is not such a shock if things do not go your way. In my opinion as long as you are a positive
optimist then you should live a long and healthy life for the most part.




















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References
Dewberry, C., Ing, M., James, S., Nixon, M., & Richardson, S. (1990). Anxiety and
unrealistic optimism. The Journal of Social Psychology, 130(2), 151-156.
Bolt, M. (2004). Pursuing human strengths: A positive psychology guide. New York,
NY: Worth Publishers