Page 27 - Boca ViewPointe - July '23

July 2023 Viewpointe, Page 27
Healthy Answers – A Guide To Healthy Living:

‘The Ultimate Pity Party!’

By Dale Brown, B.S., when negativity becomes pervasive and significantly you to imagine yourself in a future in which you have achieved
M.A., C.E.C. Dale is a affects one’s well-being or relationships an intervention all your life goals and all your problems have been resolved.
motivational speaker who may be needed. There are methods that can help For example, write about a future day in your life which would
has spent many years as a individuals develop more positive thinking patterns and reflect your accomplishments and everything you wished you
Certified Life Coach and has improve their overall outlook on life. could have done. Then, find a quiet place and spend five minutes
written numerous articles What causes some people to be negative? imagining that reality. By practicing imaging on a daily basis,
and e-books relating to self- There are many reasons for being pessimistic. Personality you can significantly improve your positive feelings.
improvement and ways to traits can be influenced by genetic factors or early life experiences. Keep a journal of positives. Write down what you are
build a high-performance For example, individuals who have experienced frequent thankful for each day. Practicing gratefulness improves
team. She is the author of disappointments or trauma may develop a negative outlook as a positive coping skills by breaking a negative thinking style
the recently published book, coping mechanism to protect themselves from further pain. and substituting it with optimism. Developing a more positive
“Small Steps...Big Changes: Growing up in an environment where negativity was attitude takes time and consistent effort. Be patient with
The Personal Stories of a Life Coach.” Her education prevalent, such as constant criticism or pessimistic attitudes yourself and practice self-compassion along the way.
and years of experience in physical fitness and training of from family members or peers, may influence their thinking. Practice mindfulness. Think of people in your life who
elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge Experiences, such as failures or rejections, can create a fear helped you in some way. Spend one minute each morning
in many health-related areas. The following introduces of repeating past failures or a belief that negative outcomes or evening appreciating the care and support or whatever it
a new approach to Brown’s series of columns devoted to are more likely to happen. might be that these individuals gave to you. This mindful
many topics that deal with the mind/body connection and Can a change in attitude from seeing the glass half empty exercise will need to be practiced on a regular basis for the
the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire to seeing it half full make a difference in your life span? brain’s positive outlook to be kept in good shape.
resident, can be reached at dalebrown@lovingmondays.com. A most recent study found both men and women with the Practice self-care. Taking care of your physical and
highest levels of optimism had an average of 11 to 15 percent mental well-being is essential for cultivating a positive
My friend Ellie is the queen of pessimism. If there were longer life span than those who were on the negative side. attitude. Engage in activities that bring you joy and
such a thing as getting awards for negativity, she would The highest-scoring optimists had the greatest odds of living relaxation, such as exercise, hobbies, spending time in nature,
certainly come out on top. She complains that people in her to be age 85 or beyond! or practicing self-compassion. When you prioritize self-care,
community are too old, her kids never call, she has no one How does optimism help people live longer? you are more likely to have a positive mindset.
to dine with, and the latest one: She won’t go on a cruise • It leads to healthier habits such as regular exercise, a Optimism is just one factor among many that contribute
alone because she refuses to pay the single supplement for balanced diet, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol to overall health and longevity. Genetics, lifestyle choices,
her deceased husband. consumption. socioeconomic factors and access to healthcare also play
We have been friends for a long time, but her pity • It promotes better coping skills, and a positive mindset significant roles. Cultivating an optimistic attitude can
party has worsened over the years. I have continued our to bounce back from setbacks. contribute positively to these factors and promote a healthier
relationship out of loyalty and my belief that friends are • It helps reduce cardiovascular risk due to healthier blood and longer life. Take a good look at your glass and ask
there to support one another. However, lately her company pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced inflammation yourself if it’s half empty or half full? Your answer will tell
has been too much of a downer for me to handle. As much markers. you what to do. Oh, and please don’t send me an invitation
as I’ve tried to shed light on her worst-case scenarios, her • It strengthens social connections and helps to build and to your next pity party! 
constant complaining has taken its toll on our friendship. maintain fulfilling relationships.
It got to the point where my only option was to take a If you’ve been the host of your own pity party, don’t
break and put some distance between us before seeing worry. Here are a few ways you can actually train your brain
each other again. to be more positive. CCCC
Being negative is not inherently bad, and people may have One technique that has moved the bar toward optimism is
valid reasons for their negative outlook. Nevertheless, called the “Best Possible Self” method. The approach is to ask

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