In this debut episode, we take a look at the ways in which Trait Optimism (thinking positively and having positive expectations about your world and your future) can actually enhance the areas of our brains known to help us deal with anxiety and, ultimately, become more resilient. Turns out, that in as little as one session of learning to think positively, we can begin to have structural brain effects. This has huge implications for our long term happiness! It would appear that if we develop the habit of thinking positively, there is very good evidence that our brains will respond by developing in ways that will further reinforce our happiness and resilience. How about that?!
By the way, this is our very first episode and it is hosted and edited by yours truly, so you'll know what I mean by: Good Help is hard to find! So, please forgive any editing or atmosphere errors. I am learning as I go and I am thinking positively that we'll get better and better as we go along:). As an old boss of mine once said in response to my nervous questioning on whether he thought his restaurant was truly ready to open: "Mike, sometimes, you just gotta (language edited for all audiences--you're welcome:) open."
In that spirit, here is our very first episode: What Positive Thinking Can Do for our Brain.
This article is based on original research done by:
Dolcos, S., Hu, Y., Iordan, A. D., Moore, M., & Dolcos, F. (2016). Optimism and the brain: trait optimism mediates the protective role of the orbitofrontal cortex gray matter volume against anxiety. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 11(2), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv106
Special Thanks to Maxie Walsh for the original artwork!!!
