NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 21

MAY 2024

NUMBER 5

 NARA'S NOTEPAD

IS SUPPORTED BY READERS LIKE YOU

 

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY OUT SOMETHING NEW

THE SCIENCE OF OPTIMISM

 

The science of optimism delves into how a positive mind can impact various aspects of our lives, from mental and emotional well-being to physical health and overall success. Here are some key points about the science behind optimism.

1. Brain Chemistry: Optimism is associated with the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to feelings of pleasure and happiness. These chemicals can create a sense of reward and motivation, reinforcing optimistic thinking patterns.

2. Health Benefits: Numerous studies have shown that optimism is correlated with better health outcomes. Optimistic individuals tend to have stronger immune systems lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol, and reduced risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart diseases such as heart disease and hypertension.

3. Resilience: Optimism is closely tied to resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity. Optimistic people often view challenges as temporary setbacks and believe in their ability to overcome obstacles, leading to greater perseverance and adaptability.

4. Social Connections: Optimistic individuals tend to have stronger social support networks. Their positive outlook and upbeat demeanor can attract others and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships, which in turn contribute to overall well-being.

5. Performance Enhancement: Optimism can improve performance in various domains, including academics, sports, and career success. Optimistic individuals are more likely to set ambitious goals, stay motivated in the face of setbacks, and maintain a growth mindset that fuels continuous improvement.

6. Cognitive Bias: Optimism is also influenced by cognitive biases such as the optimism bias, which leads people to overestimate positive outcomes and underestimate negative ones. While this bias can sometimes lead to underestimate positive outcomes and underestimate negative ones. While this bias can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations, it also serves as protective mechanism against excessive worry and anxiety.

7. Learn Optimism: Psychologist Martin Seligman introduced the concept of "learned optimism," supporting that individuals can cultivate a more optimistic outlook through cognitive restructuring techniques. This involves challenging negative thought patterns, re-framing setbacks as opportunities for growth, and focusing on positive aspects of situations.

8. Cultural and Environmental Factors: Optimism can be influenced by cultural beliefs and societal norms. For example, cultures that emphasize individualism and personal achievement may foster a greater sense of optimism compared to those that prioritize collective well-being or highlight systemic challenges.

9. Optimism and Brain Plasticity: Research suggests that practicing optimism can lead to changes in brain structure and function. The brain exhibits plasticity, meaning it can recognize itself and form new neural connections based on experiences and behaviors. Regularly engaging in optimistic thinking can strengthen neural pathways associated with positive emotions and resilience.

10. Optimism and Stress Management: Optimistic individuals tend to cope better with stress an adversity. They are more likely to use constructive coping strategies such as problem solving, seeking social support, and reframing challenges in a positive light. This proactive approach to stress management can reduce the negative impact of stress management on physical and mental health.

11. Optimism and Longevity: Some studies suggest a link between optimism and longevity. Optimistic individuals may live longer, healthier lives possibly due to their ability to maintain healthier habits, manage stress effectively, and have stronger social connections - all of which contribute to overall well-being and longevity.

12. Optimism in Therapy: Therapeutic interventions often incorporate elements of optimism to help individuals overcome mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for instance, teaches clients to identify and modify negative thought patterns fostering a more optimistic outlook and improving emotional resilience.

By integrating the principles of optimism into daily life, individuals can enhance their well-being, relationships, and success trajectories. The ongoing research and application of optimism science continue to shed light on its transformative power and potential for creating a more positive thriving world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidies are like drugs. In small doses, they can be stimulants that 

improve performance. In larger doses, they lead to addiction, falling 

productivity and financial distress.

BENEFITS OF DEPENDING ON OTHERS

 

1.      Lightening your load: To state the obvious, if you are willing to ask for help, your tasks may become significantly easier. This can be an enormous relief.

2.      Learning more: Some people are abundant resources of knowledge – by asking for their help you may create an opportunity to learn much more than you expect. Many accomplished people are surprisingly willing to share their accumulated wisdom, and find such interaction rewarding. Showing genuine interest and being prepared with questions will enrich the exchange.

3.      Increasing effectiveness through collaboration: Asking other people for help can lead to collaboration. In addition to gaining the benefit of suggestions you might not have thought of independently, you may find people willing to assist with the refinement of your ideas, thus increasing the effectiveness of your approach.

4.      Improving relationships: Graciously asking someone for help might actually improve your relationship with that person. It can be an opportunity to communicate trust and appreciation. Increasingly, robust research findings reveal that having a supportive social network is a consistent factor in human health and well-being. Some cultures promote interdependence, understanding it to be an important dimension of intimacy.

TRY THESE

 

1.             Listen to a song that gives you courage.

2.             Drink some water.

3.             Do a few squats.

4.             Dance for a bit.

5.             Walk around.

6.             Clean something.

7.             Read a page of a book.

8.             Watch a short inspiring / funny video.

9.             Talk to a loved one.

10.          Journal.

COMMUNICATION MISTAKES

 

1.      Not greeting people.

2.      Doing all the talking.

3.      Not paying attention.

4.      Not inviting the other person elaborate.

5.      Lacking curiosity.

6.      Refreshing to admit fault.

7.      Not giving acknowledgement or compliment.

8.      Not letting people know when they have helped you.

9.      Only caring about your own opinions.

10.   Saying ‘Are you sure you can do it?’

11.   Ignoring those who seem left out.

12.   Always being negative.

13.   Failing to express gratitude.

 

TRUE DEVOTION

 

Devotion is an abstract one. It can be experienced but cannot be fully explained. Mostly many 

of us pray God keeping in mind some desires or the other that we want to have fulfilled can 

that be called devotion? True devotion lies in worshiping without placing any demand before 

him. Like a mother feeding her child without the child asking, He who is more than a mother 

will give what is needed to us. If He does not give what we yearned for, we have to then 

understand that it is not needed to us. If we realize this we will be out of troubles.

TO QUOTE

 

If you don’t read good books, you will read bad ones. – C. S. Lewis

Man is never perfect nor contented. – Jules Verne  

The truth is rarely pure and never simple. – Oscar Wilde

 Saying nothing, sometimes saying the most. E. Dickinson

JUST TO LAUGH

 

An English teacher asked her class to write an essay on what they’d do if they had a million dollars. Alex handed in a blank sheet of paper. “Alex! Yelled the teacher, “You’ve done nothing. Why?

“Because if I had a million dollars, that’s exactly what I would do!”

 

 

LINES I LIKED

 

Ø  Be a host instead of a guest in life.

Ø  Be confident in who you are.

Ø  Be cooperative with everyone.

Ø  Be dependable and consistent.

Ø  Be moderate in eating, drinking, and working – everything you do.

Ø  Be open to learning new lessons even they contradict the lessons you learned yesterday.

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How we live each day is how we live our life!

Meet you next month –2024

 

Professor A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO:

E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com

  Ph: 0422 4393017 Mobile: 75399 15614

www.nara2007.blogspot.com

(NARA’S NOTEPAD)