Is The Glass Actually Half-Full

Is the Glass Actually Half-Full? Is the glass half-empty or half-full? An age old question that reveals how one views the world. Everyone faces conflict, and can approach it in many different ways. Some methods work better than others, but one way proves to have the most beneficial results. “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” and “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat” are two great selections that prove that conflict is best faced with a positive attitude. Facing conflict with optimism inspires others, has health benefits, and makes it easier for the person to deal with the problem.
People get inspired when a peer has an optimistic attitude. Many resources show having a hopeful attitude makes people around them happier. Winston Churchill wrote …show more content…
Harvard and Boston University conducted a study seeing if heart disease correlated with optimism. It states, “...scientists from Harvard and Boston University evaluated 1,306 men with an average age of 61. Each volunteer was evaluated for an optimistic or pessimistic explanatory style as well as for blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and family history of heart disease. None of the men had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease when the study began. Over the next 10 years, the most pessimistic men were more than twice as likely to develop heart disease than the most optimistic men, even after taking other risk factors into account” (Harvard Health Institute). Over the course of a ten year period, optimistic men showed a better likelihood of not having heart disease. Additionally, the Harvard Health Institute continues to write about how a hopeful attitude helps with overall health. Stating, “A large, short-term study evaluated the link between optimism and overall health in 2,300 older adults. Over two years, people who had a positive outlook were much more likely to stay healthy and enjoy independent living than their less cheerful peers” (Harvard Health Institute). As people grow older, it is harder for them to have an optimistic view of the world, but this study proves that staying positive helps them achieve a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, The University of Rochester …show more content…
The U.S. National Library of Medicine elaborates on how optimism and mental health are related. It states, “Evidence suggests that optimism is important in coping with difficult life events. Optimism has been linked to better responses to various difficulties, from the more mundane (e.g., transition to college [Brissette, Scheier, & Carver, 2002]) to the more extreme (e.g., coping with missile attacks [Zeidner & Hammer, 1992]). Optimism appears to play a protective role, assisting people in coping with extraordinarily trying incidents” (Optimism and Its Impact). From extreme conflicts to day to day issues, responding to difficult situations with hopefulness is best for someone’s health. The response continues by saying, “Optimists also tend to accept the reality of difficult situations while also framing them in the best possible light (Carver et al., 1993). While pessimists tend to cope through denial and abandoning impeded goals, optimists rely on acceptance and the use of humor” (Optimism and Its Impact). Optimists and their view on challenges seem to have a more happy and fulfilled life. Continuing constant positivity is healthier for themselves and their peers. Furthermore, The Pursuit of Happiness is another website believing challenges are best faced with optimism. It says, “The results of this research show that compared to optimists, pessimists nurtured little hope for the future and