Researchers Andrew Newberg, M.C. and Mark Robert Walman have written of their findings that optimism positively affects the brain, while pessimism does not. Their research implies that how one sees God, whether as benevolent or a punisher, affects the brain. Their research demonstrates what many these days are saying that one's thoughts affect the brain, and if they are negative thoughts, the brain is damaged. While positive thoughts heal the brain. That is one reason I stress with Dwane to see the positive side of things; there always is always a positive side to a situation -- I think it is critical for his brain to be more optimistic. I aim for optimism, and I am rewarded with the benefits it begets me. Newberg and Waldman give us eight practices to transform our brains, in ascending order:
8. Smile
7. Stay intellectually active
6. Consciously relax
5. Yawn - helps with relaxation and heightens cognitive awareness
4. Meditate (how many streams of thought recommend this?!)
3. Do aerobic exercise (U.S. Dept of Health recommends 30 minutes every day for adults)
2. Exercise your language skills (how I love to do this!)
1. Faith - which can be religious or simply faith in a positive future. "Highly optimistic people have greater activation of the same part of their anterior cingulate (brain area) that is stimulated by meditation."
The authors suggest that developing optimism can turn people from antagonistic and angry to calmer and kinder. A wonderful result from good practices.
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