Brain 'rejects negative thoughts'

wotsthat

Scientists at University College London said about 80% of people were optimists, even if they would not label themselves as such.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15214080

and from a linked article in 2008

Pessimism is the most serious cause for the global economic tsunami.

There is an ocean of people who are now feeling so depressed that not only have they become resigned to the fact that they are in deep trouble, but they have told everybody else that they are also in deep trouble.

Pessimism has an uncanny knack of being self-fulfilling.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7785564.stm

and from the great Ken Dodd himself

Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess
I thank the Lord I've been blessed
With more than my share of happiness

To me this world is a wonderful place
And I'm the luckiest human in the whole human race
I've got no silver and I've got no gold
But I've got happiness in my soul

No silver or gold but he sleeps on a bed of depreciating fiat currency. He should be buying in the dips.

Graham_Devon

And the most important ignored bits, which is quite apt!

One reason optimists retain a positive outlook even in the face of evidence to the contrary has been discovered, say researchers.

A study, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests the brain is very good at processing good news about the future.

However, in some people, anything negative is practically ignored - with them retaining a positive world view.

The authors said optimism did have important health benefits.

Maybe this does give a proper indication why the less optimistic are always claiming others are simply ignoring everything.

shortchanged_2

"Pessimism has an uncanny knack of being self-fulfilling."

Doesn't that mean it's more likely to be realism then?


So to put it another way......Optimists are fantasists and Pessimists are realists.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

And the most important ignored bits, which is quite apt!

Maybe this does give a proper indication why the less optimistic are always claiming others are simply ignoring everything.

Just meant to be a bit of fun to be honest. It's not every day I quote Ken Dodd and expect to be taken too literally.

Optimists live longer. I imagine that this is because they deal with stress in a positive way. Look at the financial situation; there are massive problems but there's very little we can do, as individuals, to make a difference. The optimists will try and take control of the things that are within their power and be happy that they've done what they can.

Pessimists (or the less optimistic if you like;)) will overly worry about the things out of their control. This is negative stress and makes for an early grave.

abaxas

I am optimistic that house prices will return to a level where the youth can afford them.

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

And the most important ignored bits, which is quite apt!

Maybe this does give a proper indication why the less optimistic are always claiming others are simply ignoring everything.

I would argue this bit is the most important.

Optimism seem to be good for your health. A study on nearly 100,000 women showed a lower risk of heart disease and death in optimists.

I think I rate health above underestimating the risk of house prices falls as it is the only thing I have control of.

Even though I have consistently over estimated falls for the last 3 years.
I wonder what the health effects of being over bearish are?

Going on this info the 70% club poses a real risk to health.

Graham_Devon

So the optimists are now looking at disease and dying early?

Well thats good

Surely though that bit should have been ignored, if the opening of the article was correct?! But oh no...

Rinoa

wotsthat wrote: »

Optimists live longer. I imagine that this is because they deal with stress in a positive way.

I reckon the bears are posting themselves into an early grave.

abaxas

Rinoa wrote: »

I reckon the bears are posting themselves into an early grave.

Depends on point of reference.

There is no correlation between right/wrong, good/bad with optimism. You can be optimistic for bad things just as much as good.

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

So the optimists are now looking at disease and dying early?

Well thats good

Surely though that bit should have been ignored, if the opening of the article was correct?! But oh no...

We are not worrying about it, we should be fine?

I am sure you are not worried by it either?
oh, you say you wan't to lie down, a heart rate monitor and an emergency cable fitted in the house?

Go for it, if it makes you feel better?:)

Really2

abaxas wrote: »

Depends on point of reference.

There is no correlation between right/wrong, good/bad with optimism. You can be optimistic for bad things just as much as good.

???? proof
Are mixing hope and optimism?

Optimism = positive thinking.

So wanting bad things to happen would not be optimism would it?

Could you give me an example of wishing for bad = being optimistic?