There’s a lot wrong with the world right now. A global pandemic, for one thing. Division within our country over, well, all kinds of issues large and small. Wars and poverty and homelessness and inequality. But … there’s a lot that’s right about the world right now, too.
In the past decade alone, there have been incredible medical advances—3D-printed body parts, targeted cancer treatments (including cancer fingerprinting), robotic exoskeletons for paraplegics, a cure for Hepatitis C and even neuromodulation systems to stop seizures.
And everyday wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are keeping us healthier with every step taken, every calorie counted. Increasingly, these devices can remotely monitor patients, providing readings that can then be used to diagnose conditions and even suggest treatments using AI.
While we still have a lot of work to do, globally, child mortality has decreased. Since 1990, the under-5 mortality rate has dropped by 59%. This thanks to increases in simple, affordable interventions including immunization, adequate nutrition, safe water and food and quality health care.
What’s more, literacy levels for the world population have risen drastically in the last couple of centuries. Over the last 65 years, the global literacy rate increased by 4% every 5 years—from 42% in 1960 to 86% in 2015.
All this is good news at a time when the evening news is all about gloom and doom. And it’s important to see the glass as half full. Scientific research shows us that a positive attitude does us all kinds of good.
According to an article from the Mayo Clinic, health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress—like right now
It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory suggests that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. In short, when your state of mind is generally optimistic, you’re better able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way. And when you handle stress better, you are in a place where you can be more optimistic. It’s a happy circle. This is true in the office and for life in general.
American philosopher and psychologist William James put it this way: “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.”
And if you need a reminder that there are more good people than bad in the world, look at this short TikTok video from @nealfoard titled A Postcard from 1969.
This will leave you with a smile on your face.