Keep your chin up: Optimists have a built-in buffer against stress, reports new Concordia University research.
In the study, people who reported to see the glass half-full had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which remained stable even after a tough day. But pessimists’ cortisone levels shot up each time they faced taxing situations.
It’s all about how you perceive outcomes, says study author Joelle Jobin, Ph.D. Optimists usually believe they’re going to overcome stressors—and thus seek solutions. But negative people tend to expect the worst and avoid challenging situations, which adds even more stress, she explains.
Cortisol isn’t all bad, though. The hormone actually helps you get up and go in the morning, Jobin says. The study found that when stressed, optimists had higher levels of cortisol upon waking than their grumpier counterparts—the happy people just used the hormone more effectively. “Optimists wake up ready to problem-solve and face challenges,” Jobin says.
Looking on the bright side is easier said than done, and research shows that being an optimist or pessimist is a personality trait that tends to stick with you. But you can follow your jolly friends’ lead by outlining possible solutions when a stressful scenario presents itself. Even if you don’t solve the problem that minute, planning out how you might fix it helps you feel calmer and in control, says Jobin.
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