Optimism directly affects physical health. It improves all aspects of health—immune, cardiovascular, brain function and even longevity.

Interestingly, optimistic individuals are likely to be more conscientious, to choose the healthiest habits, and to have more friends. Expect the best and you are more likely to receive the best outcome.

Optimists are generally happy people.

Happiness is an inside job. I cannot make you happy. You cannot make me unhappy.

Happiness is the opposite of stress. Stress raises adrenalin and cholesterol, blood pressure, anxiety and depression. All of which negatively impact physical health.

However, optimism increases happiness, serotonin, dopamine and joy.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a French diplomat, wrote two books on democracy and America and emphasized the optimism of Americans.  To some extent, despite various ups and downs, Americans are overall more optimistic than residents of other countries, although the past couple of decades have been more chaotic.

Optimism increases dopamine which is the happiest of the intrinsic neurochemicals. Of course, getting addicted to the high levels dopamine may lead to other addictions. A balance of serotonin (the bright-eyed wake-up hormone), dopamine and anandamide (the quite bliss hormone) is optimal.

Optimism affects physical health in many ways other than just happiness.

It increases your physical and mental energy along with your inherent drive to succeed. Each of these are the opposites of anxiety and depression.

One of the most influential people in the history of therapy was Émile Coué who introduced the phrase “Every day in every way, I am better and better.” He was reported to cure 10,000 people having them use this affirmation over and over. The best of self-improvement with positive autosuggestion.

Your immune system is the biggest beneficiary of optimism. Negativity clobbers immune function which then adversely affects every organ and system. Happiness and optimism help you prevent ALL illnesses, give you more energy, more efficiency, and common sense to choose healthier habits.

Although studies have shown that 97.5% of Americans lack one to all five of the essential health habits, it is obvious that those who are most successful are among the ones who have healthier habits as unhealthy habits cause distress, anxiety, and depression!

For example, one of the unhealthy habits that most people have is watching television and the ads that interrupt every show. In our opinion, television and most ads are the greatest waste of intellect in the history of the world. One healthier choice for entertainment is reading. It is infinitely more positive and useful.

Optimism affects physical health in a positive way while pessimism affects health in a negative way.

So, optimistic people are likely not to be overweight, not to smoke, to eat only REAL food, to sleep adequately and to exercise more.  Incidentally, it only takes 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise for you to feel happier and more energized.

Of course, the essential supplementation including vitamin D3, B vitamin complex, vitamin C and astaxanthin is recommended for everyone. These essential supplements serve as further assistance in leveraging the health benefits of optimism.

Your environment plays a role in your ability to be optimistic.

There are environmental stressors to optimism that we all face. These include the toxins Roundup and fluoridated water. Fluoride leads to earlier calcification of the pineal and loss of melatonin. It is hard to be optimistic if your mind is damaged by fluoride!

A side benefit of being optimistic is a network of friends. People are drawn to optimists more often than pessimists. Who wants to be around a depressed dope? Optimism breeds positivity and is much more attractive. Bon vivant!

Optimism affects your physical health in very positive and important ways. It also improves the quality of your life and may even help you to be more successful.

Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is the father of holistic medicine. Dr. Sergey Sorin is a holistic physician as well as the CEO and medical director of the Shealy-Sorin Wellness Institute. Both doctors recommend autogenic focus (the basis of the Biogenics System) as part of your overall commitment to self-health and enhancing your positivity.