At times we feel overwhelmed by
circumstances, including current physical,
mental, financial and family challenges.
Feeling overwhelmed can also be a product
of the world around us – including the
pandemic, distance from loved ones, changes
to work situations, concerns over politics and
anxiety over aged care and other looming
social upheavals.
Attitude
In developing the SHAPE Analyser, one
surprise was the increasing amount of
research on how we frame the future in
respect of key elements of our lives and
come to terms with our circumstances and
longevity.
We grouped this research under Attitude, a
SHAPE Analyser section accessible in the new
Knowledge library for Subscribers. You can
review concepts like Mindset, Resilience and
Stress and how to benefit from this
knowledge in moving forward.
Optimism
Optimists believe that the future will be
favorable because they can control
important outcomes. There is a growing
amount of research that confirms that
optimists are less likely to suffer from chronic
diseases and die prematurely.
A recent US study further suggested that
optimism appears to be specifically related to
a longer life span, on average, and to greater
odds of achieving “exceptional longevity,”
that is, living to 85 or beyond. In the study,
this outcome was independent of
socioeconomic status, health conditions,
depression, social integration, and health
behaviors (e.g., smoking, diet, and alcohol
use).
Gratitude
When things are difficult, it’s challenging to
move forward. A recent paper reviewed how
an attitude of gratitude could integrate how
we see our past and present to underpin a
more positive sense of the future.
Japan is well known for the longevity of its
population. In Japan, gratitude is a common
expression of how much one relies on others
for support throughout life. A social network
providing mutual support provides a sense of
security and confidence that ‘things will work
out'.
Relying on and engaging with others is also
regularly found in other countries to be a
positive factor in sustaining a rewarding
approach to longevity.
Keeping On
We are each different, increasingly so as we
age. We are likely to find differing perspectives
are more productive for some than others in
maintaining a positive outlook. Your Longevity
Plan helps to quantify and focus on the
opportunities and challenges.
A constructive attitude - including optimism
and gratitude - can enhance your journey and
keep you keeping on.
