EFFECTS OF PESSIMISM

Pessimism is the natural inclination to look at things with a negative perspective. As the old saying goes: the glass isn't
half full, it's half empty. For most, such an outlook on life has significant side effects. The effects of pessimism and
negativity are discussed in this article.

Effects of Pessimism on Behavior

The direct effects of pessimism are related to your behavior. Having negative thoughts naturally causes you to act
differently than if you have a positive attitude. Some behavioral effects of pessimism include:

 Complain frequently
 Lose hope in the future
 Feel a lack of control
 Avoid challenges because you expect failure
 Put down new ideas
 Resist change

Effects of Pessimism on Self

Ultimately, the behavioral effects of pessimism will compound and take their toll on your emotional health. Oftentimes,
negativity results in chronic depression and a general feeling of self-doubt. Other emotional effects associated with
negativity include:

 Feeling of being alone or isolated

 Devaluing yourself
 Feeling useless
 Constantly blaming others for betraying or cheating you
 Finding yourself frequently overwhelmed or defenseless
 Using self-pity

Social Effects of Pessimism

Oftentimes, depression and emotional health are further exacerbated by how others react to negativity. Negative people
are frequently perceived as "wet blankets" and may be avoided. If this is the case, it is important to understand that
people are not rejecting you or your personality, but rather your outlook on life. As such, you shouldn't displace your anger
or negativity onto others. Rather, it is recommended that you focus your efforts on reducing the negativity in your life.
When this is done, your natural personality will shine through and it will be easier for others to see all the reasons why
they want to be around you.

Health Effects of Pessimism

When weighing in on the health effects of pessimism and how it might be affecting you
personally, it is important to look at your current state of well-being. Are you exhausted,
overeating, stressed out, moody, irritable, easily frustrated, etc...? If you answered yes
to all or most of these symptoms you may be a pessimistic person. Overcoming
pessimism may not be easy, but it is fairly simple meaning that it is not difficult to
understand how to go about it, but it may take a decent amount of hard work. If you are
willing to put some time into it, you can overcome it!

Pessimism can take its toll on your health. Study after study confirms that pessimism,
bitterness, stress and anxiety have a big affect on our state of well-being. According to
David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, in his book Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life,
psychological stress has been associated with cancer for more than 2,000 years when
the Greek physician, Galen, associated the two. The type of mindset that can most
negatively affect your health is the feeling of utter helplessness and despair. If this is
how you currently feel, you are not alone. You have not failed. Life can be so
challenging and our circumstances can feel impossible to get out of. It truly is normal to
feel this way at times.

Many times though, it is our view of life and our way of thinking that has created some
of our circumstances. I can hear some of the readers of this article right now, "but she
doesn't understand my situation." Your situation may very well be the worst one I have
heard of, but I can assure you, with some effort and perseverance, you can change how
you are viewing your current circumstances.

If helplessness and despair describe how you feel on a regular basis, then getting some
help working through your situation is important. If finding a solution seems impossible,
find someone who can help. If you can't afford counseling, seek out a pastor who might
offer help for free. Start asking around if there is someone who has "been there" that
might help you walk through your situation and find a solution. The important part is to
focus on a solution, a change. Although it may seem like there is no other way to do
what you are doing, there almost always is another way.

In the third article of this series I will discuss some ways in which you can make the
change from being a pessimist to an optimist.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-
medicine/articles/51802.aspx#ixzz1JIYasaDa