The Health Effects of Pessimism

The Health Effects of Pessimism
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Pessimism

When weighing in on the health effects of pessimism and how it might be affecting you personally, it is important to look at your current state of well-being. Are you exhausted, overeating, stressed out, moody, irritable, easily frustrated, etc…? If you answered yes to all or most of these symptoms you may be a pessimistic person. Overcoming pessimism may not be easy, but it is fairly simple meaning that it is not difficult to understand how to go about it, but it may take a decent amount of hard work. If you are willing to put some time into it, you can overcome it!

Health Effects of Pessimism

Pessimism can take its toll on your health. Study after study confirms that pessimism, bitterness, stress and anxiety have a big affect on our state of well-being. According to David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, in his book Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life, psychological stress has been associated with cancer for more than 2,000 years when the Greek physician, Galen, associated the two. The type of mindset that can most negatively affect your health is the feeling of utter helplessness and despair. If this is how you currently feel, you are not alone. You have not failed. Life can be so challenging and our circumstances can feel impossible to get out of. It truly is normal to feel this way at times.

Many times though, it is our view of life and our way of thinking that has created some of our circumstances. I can hear some of the readers of this article right now, “but she doesn’t understand my situation.” Your situation may very well be the worst one I have heard of, but I can assure you, with some effort and perseverance, you can change how you are viewing your current circumstances.

If helplessness and despair describe how you feel on a regular basis, then getting some help working through your situation is important. If finding a solution seems impossible, find someone who can help. If you can’t afford counseling, seek out a pastor who might offer help for free. Start asking around if there is someone who has “been there” that might help you walk through your situation and find a solution. The important part is to focus on a solution, a change. Although it may seem like there is no other way to do what you are doing, there almost always is another way.

Disclaimer

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