Things have been incredibly busy at Empower HQ since I wrote my last contribution 2 months ago. It is timely, I think that this month’s topic is the role played by OPTIMISM in our Wellbeing. Having discussed ENERGY, MOTIVATION and the importance of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY in previous issues, we move onto another thought provoking offering.
In this busy, weird Post-Covid world, looking on the bright side of life surely has to be the best possible option. Living as I do, in a house with a partner, three children and a very lively dog, I would be fibbing if I didn’t admit that sometimes life is challenging. Add to this, running a business which is heavily dependent on my personal energy to drive it forward and you could get some measure of why living optimistically is very much part of my coping strategy. Life is simply better when you are smiling – and importantly when you surround yourself with optimistic people who exude positive energy.
If you’re reading this and currently struggling to see the positives then let me share some scenarios with you and hopefully, it can help you to turn the frown upside down, or at least, start to see the benefit of adopting a more optimistic outlook – and acknowledge the futility of being a pessimist for the sake of our own wellbeing
- Whenever my three children are moody, hormonal, grumpy, cheeky, etc. I try my best to remember when they were tiny (they are 11, 13 and 14 now – how quickly that time passed). The best advice I was given at the time was that with children/parenthood ‘everything is a phase. So when things are great, enjoy the moment, but the reverse is also true…the tough times won’t last either. Also appreciate the fact that the teenage brain is very much like a toddler brain – it is in a state of flux, it’s a time of huge development, the transition to adulthood is a tricky one for teenagers and parents alike. It’s when they lack control of their emotions, their moods and unsure of how to deal with the changes in their bodies/appearance/feelings – and when friendships are the most important thing. Adopting an optimistic attitude within the family unit can help minimise aggravation, tension and help improve relationships which are, at times, tricky to negotiate. Understanding and recognising that things WILL get easier makes the bumps in the road more manageable.
- When attempting to grow a business – instead of focusing on the disappointments, on the clients you can’t reach, on the customers who choose to leave, remind yourself always of the impact you’re having on those clients who chose to stay – who are benefiting from the service you are providing – remind yourself of your mission – to provide a service/help others – whatever it was which motivated you to take that step and start a business in the first place.
- I listen to Chris Evans on Virgin Radio every morning. Chris Evans has had an incredibly chequered past but is a huge advocate of the power of positive thinking. As he wisely recommends, we should all be regular listeners of Monty Pythons ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ and in his words, ‘Why wouldn’t you?’. You could look for all the reasons why a new venture might not work, imagining all manner of negative scenarios, spending your life thinking what if…? What could happen…? This catastrophising has the same impact on the neurotransmitters in the brain, as if those events ACTUALLY happened, so thinking about the worst case scenarios can be as psychologically damaging as if they were real. Catastrophising can become a very unhealthy habit, and detrimentally affect our wellbeing.
Optimistic people are nicer to be around.
Be the person who gets out of bed in the morning excited and hopeful for the day ahead.
Be open to new adventures.
Our overall Wellbeing is enhanced when we think positive thoughts, when we attack the day, when we speak using positive language.
Life can be tricky, there is no doubt about it – as the saying goes ‘Life may give you a cactus, you don’t need to sit on it.’
OPTIMISM is part four of Empower’s 7 Point Wellbeing Programme.
To find out more visit the Empower Wellbeing website or contact Joanne Juliff – joanne@empowerhealthandwellbeing.co.uk
[Featured image: Presentation of £2000 raised for Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales through Empower Wellbeing running event – June 2021]
