Harvard University's latest findings on adolescent mental health research

Optimism usually refers to being in good spirits and having confidence in how things are going. It is one of the most positive character factors. Optimism is the state of mind that no matter what the situation is, no matter how bad it is, you still maintain a good attitude, believe that bad things will always pass, and that the sun will always come back. Optimists always believe that they have enough behavioral capacity to withstand and reduce the negative impact of the original negative value on themselves, and make the original positive value play a greater positive effect. Hilton Cohen, a famous American psychology professor, explained that optimism is a stable personality trait, which helps to improve the body's immunity. When an idea appears, a series of biochemical reactions occur in the body. A positive attitude will increase nitric oxide levels, balance neurotransmitters, and adjust immunity.

A study by a research team at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston University School of Medicine proves that maintaining optimism helps people live longer. The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The study is based on two epidemiological study cohorts: from the American Nurses' Health Study, involving nearly 70,000 women with an average age of 70 and follow-up from 2004 to 2014; and 1,429 from the American Veterans Affairs Study on Aging Men, with a mean age of 62 years, were followed for 30 years from 1986 to 2016. Both groups of participants were assessed through surveys, and the results showed that people with higher levels of optimism were more likely to live to 85 years or older (longevity is generally defined as 85 years or older), regardless of gender. In addition, the most optimistic group of men were 70% more likely to live past the age of 85, and women were also 50% more likely. The results of the study further showed that the highest score group, the most optimistic group, lived an average of 11% longer for men and 15% longer for women, compared to the lowest score group measured in the study. And may be an important sociopsychological resource for extending the lifespan of older adults. "It's not clear exactly how optimism helps people live longer," said Laura Kubzansky, Ph.D., professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, corresponding author of the study. The reasons why it’s so important is yet to be studied, but the link between optimism and health is getting stronger.” With such a strong link between optimism and health, what are some ways we can regulate our optimism?

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White Paper Therapy: Write Your Sadness and Optimism

Put a piece of A4-sized white paper on the wall, draw a vertical line in the middle of the paper, write optimism in the left column and pessimism in the right column, and write down the optimistic and pessimistic feelings in your heart when you are free every day. After writing everything, cross out the pessimistic parts one by one, and at the same time drive the pessimistic feeling out of your heart, then look at the optimistic part and read it a few times aloud, so that your heart will be the same as this table, full of optimistic feelings. You can also share every unforgettable and unforgettable moment in your life by keeping a diary.

Living every day well is the greatest happiness. Happiness comes from having a good attitude every day, always worrying about the risks of tomorrow, and never able to erase the shadows of yesterday. How can today's life be satisfactory? Always compare the uncomparable, always fantasize about the unachievable, how can today's mentality be calm? Anything that is unrealistic is the source of pain, and the biggest killer of life is sorrow and anxiety. When you want to say "I'm done", replace it with "No, I still have hope"; when you want to say "I can't forgive him", replace it with "Forgive him, I'm wrong too" Wait. In this way, people will relax and their minds will be opened. Usually, we should develop the habit of actively replacing with this mentality, and we should often say to ourselves "I can do it" and "great".

Through exercise, the brain secretes a kind of peptides that can control psychology and behavior. One of the substances called "endorphins", which scientists call "happy hormones", acts on the human body to make people feel happy. When you are in a bad mood, choosing the right exercise program can be more effective in improving your mood. When feeling stressed and anxious, yoga can promote stress release and improve sleep quality. If you add meditation and deep breathing, the effect is even better; running improves brain function, protects the heart, and promotes deep sleep. Running when you're depressed and pessimistic can trigger a massive release of endorphins and adrenaline, making you happy.

The meaning of things depends a lot on our subjective thoughts. As long as we consider the problem from a different angle and find positive meaning from it, we can change ourselves. Many troubles and troubles in life, study and work will be greatly reduced, and the pursuit of success and happiness will be easier to obtain.

Sunnybrook Edu Group will join hands with the professional developmental psychology team of WeConnect Companion and Family Welfare Service Center and key members of the University of Toronto Psychology Institute to launch a special launch every other Friday at 8pm when the school starts. Four free Chinese youth camps to share more latest research results with you!

If you have troubles and myths about adolescence, if you want to tap your own potential and cultivate the ability to create a better future, if you want to meet more friends of the same age in Canada to better integrate into Canadian life, welcome to participate! Please see the poster below for registration and consultation!

We will see you at the Youth Camp (Zoom) at 8:00pm on Friday 10.1 Toronto time, and there will be lucky draws waiting for you!

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