So I assume many of us know the story of the Little Engine that Could. “I think I can, I think I can!” It delivers the importance of optimism, perseverance and steadfastness. But how many of us would have known that such a story could be scientifically related? I certainly would not correlate science and sentimentalism together. So finals are coming up and people are getting stressed, including myself. I thought I’d take a break and I ran into an article about optimism. But before I elaborate, consider the following;
How often do you…
I) Give up after telling yourself that completing a certain task is hopeless?
II) …yet, when you think about the near future and imagine something positive, you want to continue?
III) Perform better after receiving a positive message?
IV) Give up after receiving a negative message, maybe from feeling pressurized/ discouraged by it?
V) Look for a bright side to any unfortunate event?
VI) Feel willing to do something very possibly distressing, but you do it because you’ve done it before?
VII) Convince yourself you did the right thing and weight down the other option when you had to pick between two desirable events?
VIII) Place hope and confidence in the decision you made when you had to pick between two undesirable events?
Now, with those said, would you think that the causation behind these is the brain? Maybe, maybe not. Optimism may be more important than we think. Could we have evolved to the human beings we are today, had our ancestors never thought to self- improve? Even a trace bit of hope could keep us going. Hope and stress may work antagonistically. Placing hope in our minds can keep them at peace.
DID YOU KNOW? Optimists live longer, healther lives?
A part of our brain called the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, rACC, is responsible for regulation emotion and motivation. It encourages positive thinking. Once we have encountered events previously, our brain places faith onto it. Positive messages and compliments will enhance brain activity so it’ll improve and make less mistakes on the same task. So if you’re about to sit an exam, don’t think “I’m going to fail!”, but rather, tell yourself “I can ace this!” (But you know… it helps if you study too. Just sayin)
If something tragic happens, we seek reasons as to why we’re better off that way. For example, after a break-up we begin to convince ourselves we’re better without that ex and look for characteristics of that person that makes you wander why you even dated them in the first place. Then, after you move on you look for ways in which this new person has much better qualities to offer. So it’s not just academically that our brains are wired to self- improve and keep advancing.
DID YOU KNOW? 10% believe they will live to 100 when only 0.02% of them actually do?
Maybe this will encourage you to think more positively. You never know how far in life you could go! Hopefully, pretty far.