TresSugar

Come on Get Happy! Optimistic Women Live Longer

TresSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Learned Optimism is one of the best books I've read in a while. Psychologist Martin Seligman explores how optimists - those who believe that life's setbacks are only temporary - can avoid depression, improve their health, and enjoy an overall better quality of life.

Now a new scientific study, which shows that optimistic women have a lower risk of heart disease and death, supports Seligman's argument. Taking risk factors into account, the study concluded that an optimistic attitude alone can significantly lower the risk of dying of heart disease. The research suggests that optimistic women are better at dealing with adversity and are more likely to take care of themselves when they get ill.

One of the most important lessons I took away from Seligman's book is that we can escape pessimism and, you guessed it, learn optimism. So it's never to late to embrace the idea that there's always something better around the corner. Doing so might just help you live longer!

Are You Having a Hard Time Being Optimistic?

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:30:00 -0800

When I asked you a while back if you were a pessimist or an optimist, most of you owned up to being a realist, but now that the going is getting tough and life feels grim, I'm wondering if you're finding yourself being more pessimistic. If this sounds familiar, you might want to know that according to a recent study, optimistic women actually live longer, so it's time to look at that glass as half full, not half empty!

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh looked at more than 100,000 women over age 50 and found that after eight years, optimistic women were 14 percent more likely to be alive over the pessimists they studied. Though many factors played into those results, Dr. Hilary Tindle, who headed this study, stated:

. . . optimistic people have more friends and a larger social network on which they can rely during crises; they also tend to cope better on their own with stress, a risk factor that has been associated with high blood pressure, heart disease and early death in previous studies.

I think it's pretty obvious that looking on the bright side makes everything a lot easier, but tell me, are you struggling to do that now with so much uncertainty in the air?

Source

The Benefits of Long Distance

DearSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Though I've mentioned the environmental concerns related to a long distance relationship, I know that being able to physically see the person you love is extremely important. Feeling like a major facet of your relationship is out of your control can be very frustrating, and missing someone is always a struggle. Together, these can make long distance relationships difficult, which is probably why they get such a bad reputation.

But there are plenty of healthy, happy, and successful couples in long distance relationships. So why not look on the bright side and come up with some perks to doing the distance thing? I've listed mine below. What are yours?

You get to have more time for yourself.
You're never the friend who's always with her boyfriend.
You might miss out on nightly sex, but when you do have it, it's really great.
You can actually keep up with your plan to eat healthy and work out more.

To see the rest and share your own, read more.

There's always something to look forward to.
You may not have a lot of time together, but the time you do have is extra special.
You have the whole bed to yourself!
You actually get to miss each other.

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Looking on the Brighter Side

DearSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0700

To combat the impending Winter and the lagging economy, last week Smitten challenged its readers to list five of their favorite simple pleasures in life. By making ourselves more aware of the good things around us, we can take our minds off of the things in our lives that aren't going as well as we'd like. It's all about the power of positive thinking, so if you're a person who tends to see the glass as half empty, this is perfect for you! My simple pleasures for today: a good night's sleep, a hot shower, and a sunny day. What are yours?

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Do America's Best Days Lie Ahead or in the Past?

LibertySugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:15:04 -0700

Forty-four percent of respondents believe America's best days are still to come, according to a poll just released. The pessimists, who think the good days have passed, represent 41 percent of the surveyed group.

Optimism about the country's future appears tied to individual economic status - voters who make less than $40,000 a year are more likely to say the best days are behind the US. Those making more think the future will be better than the past and present.

The beginning of the 21st century has been tough for America - terrorists brought down the Twin Towers, the US itself launched a war without UN approval, added $42 trillion to the debt, and saw a surplus morph into a deficit of half a trillion dollars. Even though hard times could make you want to kiss the best days goodbye, perhaps this adversity will inspire America to reinvent itself for modern, and better, days.

Source

Where Do You Stand? Optimism

DearSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Having a positive attitude is always a plus when it comes to leaving an impression, getting to know new people, and keeping your chin up during a rough patch. But sometimes, and I know some people may not agree with me, an optimistic outlook is not for the best. When the going gets tough, I think it’s important to be realistic, and I often find a friend or family member’s optimism irritating or just plain irrational. In my opinion, a little pessimism can come in handy - sometimes you have to plan for the worst! But where do you stand on this glass half-full or half-empty issue? Do you think optimism is harmful or helpful?

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The Gratitude Project

DearSugar — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:01:00 -0700

Welcome to the Gratitude Project, our practice of noticing and actively valuing the good things that happen in our lives. Featured every Sunday, we'll all be listing at least 3 things, in detail, that we're grateful for from this past week. I'll keep the link open throughout the week on the Editor's Picks box, so you can post on the weekdays, too.

For more details about the research on health, increased happiness and gratitude, please read the post in which I previewed this feature. Lots of good stuff there.

I'll get things started. Click here to read more

I'm grateful for all the people in casual carpool this week who were so curious and open and warm. When strangers are so decent with each other, it makes me feel much more connected, and more hopeful about things in general.

I'm grateful to my friend R. for being so patient and giving this week. I've been overbusy and not looking in on people like I usually do. Instead, she's looked after me, without requiring anything in return. It just felt very nurturing and calming.

I'm grateful to T. for all the ways in the past 2 weeks that he showed how much he esteems and values me, going out of his way to root for me. It felt like having my very own unsolicited fan club, and it made me want to cry from happiness and wonder.

Front Page: Optimism Rises Ceasefire Plan in Gaza

LibertySugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:27 -0800

Hope for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Gaza has increased with the news that Israel has agreed "on the principles" of a ceasefire proposal. Hamas said there were "positive signs but no agreement yet." - BBC
Lawmakers are pushing Barack Obama to embrace deficit-reduction goals while he promotes a spending and tax-cutting plan. Yesterday, Obama said he would "bring a long-overdue sense of responsibility and accountability to Washington" and called the need for budget reform "an absolute necessity." - AP

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says he's being unfairly blamed by members of the Senate for not seating Roland Burris. - Chicago Tribune
Barack Obama will announce his pick for "chief performance officer," a newly created position that will work on the federal budget and to reform government. - CNN
Pakistani leaders say India's suggestions that official agencies may have been involved in training November's Mumbai terrorists are pushing the region to war. - United Press International
HBO has landed the rights to the inaugural ceremony and will kick off coverage of Inauguration week with an exclusive telecast of a star-studded opening ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 18. It will offer the event free to cable and satellite subscribers. - Hollywood Reporter

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Ted Kennedy Passes Away at 77 After Long Battle With Cancer

TresSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:38:57 -0700

We're sad to report that Senator Ted Kennedy, the youngest Kennedy brother, passed away Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, MA. Although the infamous incident at Chappaquiddick marred his reputation, Kennedy in later years was known for championing healthcare reform, better working wages, and equal rights, he was called the "liberal lion of the senate."

Most recently, he was known for his love of Portuguese water dogs, which he shared with the Obamas when he gave the first family their dog, Bo.

The Kennedy family released this statement:

We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.

Coming just two weeks after his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's death, we wish the Kennedy family well during this extraordinarily hard time.

When Optimism Backfires

GiggleSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:00:00 -0800

I think I can, I think I can, I think can ...think again, buddy.