Is your glass half empty or half full? You’re answer that question can say a lot about your frame of mind.

It’s a well-known fact that your emotional wellness can have a direct effect on your physical wellness, but to what degree? Research has found that an upbeat attitude or happiness can help lessen the burden of chronic pain, say from arthritis, or even reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. And, there are some experts out there who think that having a positive outlook on life can even help you live longer.

In a study done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., researchers followed a group of people for 30 years. They found that those who were originally classified as “optimistic” on a standard personality test turned out to be 20% less likely to suffer an early death than those classified as “pessimistic.”

Opt for a Good Mood, Opt to Live Longer

Happiness plays a fairly important role in keeping your brain healthy and vital, too. Staying positive helps fight the “blues.” This is good news in terms of longevity since, among other factors; depression has been shown to increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

An optimistic outlook isn’t hard to achieve, and doing a few simple “optimism exercises” can yield a big reward. Optimism exercises don’t have to be formal. You can improve your attitude just by taking a nice long walk, manicure, pedicure, or spending time with family & friends that you enjoy being around. Anything that lets you release pent-up negativity and experience calm, peaceful thoughts can go a long way toward helping you become—and stay—more positive.

Training Your Brain to Stay Positive

There are also some specific activities you can undertake to boost your brain’s vitality. The ancient practice of yoga, research has found, can improve your cognitive function, including your memory. Practicing yoga trains your brain to stay focused. It requires you to concentrate on your body’s movement in space and the actual mechanics of your breathing, while tuning out distractions.

Cheers to wellness!

Living in the real world requires us to peacefully exist with all types, including Ms. Debbie Downer and Mr. Doom and Gloom. Whether the negativity is coming from your spouse, your co-worker, friends, or family members here are some ways to rise above from shine.com:

Remember that it’s a process. Like anything, your response to negativity isn’t going to instantly change. Unfortunately, there’s not a switch we can flip to make ourselves less susceptible to bad vibes. But by staying engaged with proactive solutions, our dealing-with-negativity muscles will grow stronger over time.

Place limits. When someone comes to you with concerns or problems they might be experiencing many of us have a natural desire to be empathic. Empathize with the gripes of others too much, though, and you could feel yourself dragged down by complaints that aren’t even yours. Listen to their concerns and be polite, but be firm; remind them that you’re busy and have time to spare to be a part of negativity.

Remember what it’s really about. When people lash out at you with a response that is totally disproportionate to the situation, think about where their behavior is coming from, chances are it’s not about you. That negativity is an outpouring of what’s going on with them — maybe they hate their job or are dealing with intense stress. Is their behavior appropriate or kind? Absolutely not, but it’s a barometer for the state of their life, and not a reflection of who you are.  Remember to stay true to you no matter what and surround yourself with positive people doing positive things.  Cheers.

Find a safe place to express your emotions freely.  Hiding is so stressful and creates shame, anger, and illness.  Remember we are seeking wellness. A trusted friend or mentor may be able to help us speak our deepest secrets and fears.  Giving a voice to them melts blockage, helps us heal.  Many of carry years of hurts and pains, things we are ashamed of.  But, sometimes speaking about it helps release you from a sense of bondage.  In that moment, the burden you had carried so long can be lifted. 

You can be free!  What causes us pain has to be honored, heard, validated so that we can release it and heal.  If someone rejects you based on what you’ve lived through, it’s a gift, life telling you to cut that tie.  Cheers.

Don’t let anyone put a damper on your dreams.  Work toward a goal that’s for the highest good and your spirit will prepare you to achieve it.  Remember that for a full year 42,000 black people in Montgomery, Alabama, walked, crippling a bus system and toppling a legal system that denied our humanity. You have to have a passion for your dream and goal and self-determination and know that no matter what if you believe it you can achieve it.  Keep stepping, no matter what.  Watch what happens!  Cheers to possibilities.  Cheers!