(9) Proof, proof, and more proof

There are countless studies which stand as proof that a positive attitude is conducive of good health. Rhonda Byrne's, The Secret, is all about the laws of attraction and positive thinking. She believes that we can make anything happen if we think actively and positively about it. Bryne talks about the importance of emphasizing the good rather than the negative. For example, if a person's goal is to lose weight, he or she should repeat the phrase, "I want to be healthy and fit," rather than, "I don't want to be fat."

An additional study shows that positive attitudes help fight the common cold. Psychosomatic Medicine published a story in July 2003. Researchers examined 300 people three times a week for two weeks. Each patient was tested on three categories of positivity--vigor, well-being, and calmness. They were also tested on three areas of negativity--depression, anxiety, and hostility. After each assessment, the patient was injected with the cold-causing germ, rhinovirus, and monitored for five days. Results showed that people with positive attitudes had less symptoms of the cold, and negative people had more symptoms.

In 2004, researchers at the University of Texas found that positive attitudes delay the aging process. This study was published by the Psychology and Aging journal in which 1,558 people were tested. During the seven year study, researchers examined positive and negative attitudes in relation to frailty. They measured frailty by weight loss, exhaustion, walk speed, and grip strength. Although results found that optimistic patients showed less symptoms of frailty, science demanded more proof. Therefore, scientists concluded that positivity may alter chemicals in the brain. Additionally, an upbeat attitude makes the individual believe that they will be more successful in life.

Not all people are born with the optimism gene. I am passionate to help and influence these patients in experiencing the joys in life. It is amazing how the quality of a person's life can improve by approaching each day from a slightly different angle. Hopefully my hospital reconstruction project will get us there.

Linda Dierks, Larry O'Brien, Turner, AHA, and TCAB.....Let's do it!