Merry Christmas Eve!
If you’re celebrating Christmas tomorrow, make sure to enjoy yourself. Let go of any stress that may have built up running errands or finding the perfect gift.
And even if you’re not celebrating, make sure to keep a positive attitude.
Why? Read the rest of today’s article for all the details.
The holidays are a time of joy for many. And for others, they can be a big source of stress.
Either way, new research shows us that you’ll want to keep a positive attitude – long after the holidays and well into the New Year.
Why?
It’s good for your heart and will help you live longer.
Plenty of studies have already been done on the benefits of a positive attitude and how it increases the lifespan of heart patients.
And now, a recent study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes adds to the growing evidence that a positive outlook keeps you healthier and living longer.
Researchers in the Netherlands followed 600 patients who had ischemic heart disease. So we’re on the same page, this is when the arteries to the heart have hardened and narrowed, or have been blocked.
The study lasted 5 years and found that those with a positive attitude had a 42 percent LESS chance of dying from any reason at all.
What’s more, those who kept a positive attitude had far less heart incidents that required going to the hospital. [1]
“We should focus not only on increasing positive attitude in cardiac rehabilitation, but also make sure that patients perform exercise on a regular basis, as exercise is associated with both increased levels of optimism and better health,” said Dr. Susane Pedersen, one of the study’s lead authors.
So this holiday season, cheer up. Don’t let external circumstances get you down.
A few things that can help you do this:
1. Practice gratitude every day. Every morning when you wake up, write down in a journal. You’ll want to find at least 5 things you are grateful for. Genuinely feel the gratitude as you write these things down. Then, before you go to bed, do the same thing. This practice alone can go a long way to drastically changing your attitude for the better.
2. Get plenty of exercise. Getting your heart pumping is a proven mood-booster. So make sure to get some exercise in, even if the weather makes you feel like staying at home.
3. Start a meditative practice. Reducing the stress – whether emotional or physical – in your life can go a long way to improving your attitude and outlook on things. So maybe sit and meditate every morning after doing your gratitude practice. Join a yoga class. Maybe start doing Tai Chi. Whatever you find enjoyable. Even just a little deep breathing every day can do wonders.
4. Put things in perspective. Sometimes we over dramatize the problems in our lives. So if something is stressing you out, get some perspective on it. Are things really that bad? Are you making a mountain out of a molehill? More often than not, you’ll find that this is truly the case. Remember the ancient proverb, “I complained I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet.”
Well, there you have it. This holiday season, stay positive. And then, make sure you stay positive well into the New Year. It’ll help you stay motivated, focused, and much more likely to stay fit, stay healthy, and achieve your resolutions!
Oh, and one more thing – if you’re serious about managing your overall health and fitness, why not take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)
During this consult, you’ll receive detailed information on how to get fit and trim that’s tailored to YOUR body.
There’s no obligation and it’s totally and completely free. To sign up, click here.
References:
[1]. Madelein T. Hoogwegt, Susane S. Pedersen, et. Al. Exercise Mediates the Association Between Positive Affect and 5-Year Mortality in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2013;6:559-566