Everywhere you look, you see something about the power of positive thinking. Sure, some men (and women, for that matter) may find this term cliche. But others have embraced this attitude and know it works wonders! No matter what your circumstances, you have the power to join the ranks of those optimistic men. While everyone has the strength within, some have learned how to put it into their daily practice. It’s about changing your mindset and tweaking your vocabulary and outlook.
NOTE: We acknowledge that women also benefit greatly from the power of positivity, which we address in a separate, science-based article.
Ten Reasons Why Optimistic Men Live Longer
Have you ever wondered why some people live to be over a hundred years old and others have their life cut short at an early age? While many factors can be involved in a person’s lifespan, one primary consideration is mindset.
According to the National Academy of Sciences, positive thinking can add up to fifteen percent more time to your life. Those guys who are negative tend to live shorter lives, and those who stay on the sunny side might be able to extend their years far beyond expectations. Here are some reasons why optimistic men live longer.
1. Optimistic Men Experience Improved Resiliency
A study posted on Hindawi Journals shows that those with an optimistic attitude and positive thinking can increase the will to live longer. The key is being more proactive about your health when you desire to live. Guys who want to live will be eager to eat foods to fuel their bodies and to work out more.
2. Positive Guys Resist Comparisons and Feel More Satisfied
The grass always looks greener on the other side, and many people can’t help but peek and become jealous. Jealousy and envy are very harmful emotions, making your low self-esteem shine. It’s easy to look at the lives of others and envy what seems to be an extraordinary life.
However, men with optimistic outlooks know things are not always as they seem. It’s easy to become jealous of stars like Oprah when considering her immense wealth and popularity. The truth is that no one knows what runs through her mind when she lays her head on her pillow at night.
Oprah had a disturbing childhood and was abused by close family members numerous times. According to her confession on The Oprah Winfrey Show, she gave birth to a child who died two weeks later. Like many people, she turned to food to cope, which led to a lifetime battle with weight.
It’s easy to look at others and point out all the beautiful things you desire, but a cheerful man knows that all those things come with a price. Positive people know that sometimes things are not always as they seem.
3. Counting Blessings Gives Optimistic Men a Good Perspective
Did you eat today? Did you get into a car you own and drive to a job paying your bills? Do you have a house and a comfortable bed to lay your head down at night? These are all blessings.
Today’s society is engrained that you need more. Folks feel that having material possessions is a sign of status in life. Have you met someone who had it all but was still miserable?
There are homeless folks that might treat you better than someone with millions. It’s all about attitude and perception. The homeless person might be so thankful for a sandwich, while the person with so much would think that a simple sandwich wasn’t good enough.
Men who embrace optimism know they must be thankful for what they have because tomorrow, it could all be gone. If you wake up with a heart of gratitude, it will change your outlook on your day and extend your life.
4. Positive Males Have More Emotional Intelligence Than Their Peers
Men generally aren’t as emotional as women, but it doesn’t mean that a guy doesn’t experience some emotional pain. The key is that they’ve learned how to manage these emotions like stress. For instance, how often have you heard someone say that you make mountains out of molehills because you overreact to things?
What if you flipped the script and made molehills out of mountains instead? You don’t look at the obstacles in your way as such significant issues. These positive thinkers have learned that life is full of trials and tests, but they use their stress-relieving tips to manage them. They don’t fall to pieces because the day looks dark and stormy, as they know the sun will shine again.
5. Optimistic Men Have Healthy Role Models to Guide Them
Society tends to have things backward, as they view youth as precious and beautiful and frown upon aging. When a man considers aging in a negative light, he might lose some of his will to thrive. However, most people don’t go to young folks for advice, as they would rather trust the sage guidance of their father or grandpa.
Men who have lived and experienced much are usually more in touch with their spirituality. They understand the depth of living and try to follow a more simplistic life.
6. Positivity Can Mean Lower Stress Levels
It’s easy to become stressed in the fast-paced world. However, chronic stress can significantly impact the body and mind. An article published by Carnegie Mellon University shows that chronic stress messes with the body’s inflammatory responses, making a man more susceptible to sickness. Stress can stimulate the development and growth of diseases.
Some folks handle stress better than others, as they’ve learned techniques like journaling, meditation, and other ways to relieve these pressures. It doesn’t mean that they won’t have times of duress in their lives, but they’ve discovered a way to manage it. There are many proven studies about the effects of stress, so the optimistic man tries his best to control his angst.
7. Optimistic Men May Have Healthier Brains
Keeping your mind busy is a great way to stay optimistic, as you don’t have time to fret about trivial things. Frequent activities like word searches, learning a new language, engaging in a hobby, or doing a puzzle, can all help strengthen your mental capacity. Plus, when you’re busy engaging in something pleasurable, it doesn’t give you much downtime to sit and lament your problems.
Thankfully, there’s medical research to back this up. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, those people who keep their minds busy with cognitive activity will live longer, as they will reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia by up to 47%.
8. Positive Guys Don’t Dread the Aging Process
Some men get torn up about a few gray hairs or wrinkles. However, a guy with an optimistic outlook embraces aging. It’s not really about the outside, but when you dread growing older, it reduces your chances of living life to the fullest.
It’s imperative to adjust your opinion of yourself as you age. Instead of dwelling on negative aspects, these people focus on empty nests, traveling, retiring, and the wisdom gained. A study posted by Frontiers in Psychology shows that men who have a positive outlook have proven to have a significant effect on their life expectancy.
9. Vocabulary Changes Are Imperative to a Satisfying and Successful Life
You can always tell a lot about a person when you talk to them for a few minutes. Miserable people tend to radiate despair and let you know all about it. Optimistic men have learned that there are some words they must omit from their vocabulary to keep their spirits high.
It’s not that they can’t use these words, but they prefer to use other words with a more positive meaning. For instance, instead of saying they’re exhausted and need to rest, they will say they need to lie down and rejuvenate themselves. Sure, it means the same thing, but the delivery is vastly different.
Words they avoid include the following:
- Can’t
- Won’t
- Afraid
- Scared
- Hate
- Bad
- Incompetent
- Impossible
- Useless
- Ugly
While these are just a few examples, you will strike many words when you want to be positive. Guys who make these changes to their vocabulary are extending their life by being more encouraging.
10. Positive Guys Practice Mindfulness and Get Better Sleep
Mindful living is something that’s often talked about in modern psychology. Some people run through their days on autopilot and miss so much of the splendor around them. It’s easy to be negative when your plate is overloaded and your time is sparse.
However, those who are positive embrace such things as mindful living. They take time to stop and snap a picture of a gorgeous rainbow or to admire the raindrops on a rose. According to an article published by the National Library of Medicine, these actions pay off with longevity, as these guys will have better sleep and lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Final Thoughts on Optimistic Men Living Longer
You don’t think about living longer and retirement when you’re young. However, you blink your eye and find gray hairs, wrinkles, and a body stiff from arthritis.
Optimistic men have learned a few tricks to help them with longevity and to have an overall happy life. They know that you don’t compare yourself with others, you must have good coping skills for stress, and a good diet and exercise program is not optional. Even if your mindset hasn’t been the best, you can easily change it. Start today by increasing positivity in your life, and you’ll see how much better you feel.
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