Positivity May Not Be as Powerful as You Think
When facing health challenges, a realistic mindset seems to be better than a purely optimistic attitude
Positivity is a widely used prescription for better health and psychological well-being, whether a person is in the process of healing or simply trying to practice good habits. And, generally, science seems to support the power of a positive and hopeful attitude. A number of studies show that a “glass half full” perspective during illness does more than keep depressed feelings at bay; optimism can also strengthen the immune system and increase longevity.
But while a good portion of scientific literature around people’s mindset in the face of illness favors the power of positive thinking, some researchers say thinking realistically could be more useful in the long haul — even if, sometimes, being realistic means being pessimistic.
Why being realistic is so crucial
Psychologically speaking, there’s no silver bullet mindset for managing a difficult situation — for example, an illness or surgery. Whether it’s more beneficial in general to be optimistic or pessimistic depends on the individual and their unique health circumstances. For a person who is naturally more anxious, forcing positivity while…
