Watch your words because according to new research on how language and a positive mindset can improve brain health, our choice of words can impact how well we age and how well we recover from illness.
While positive thinking and visualization have been touted as valuable practices for many years, there is even more evidence that using the right words at the right time is yet another way to improve our longevity.
How Positive Language Improves Brain Health
The adage, you bring about what you talk about, is not new. For example, if you think you’re going to fail, you are more likely to do so. The power of optimism and positive thinking is well documented, particularly when it comes to pursuing goals. New research indicates positive language, the words we use, can make for a better mindset and outlook that can keep our brains and bodies healthier and promote a more positive aging experience.
Due to a series of six studies conducted at Stanford University, researchers now better understand the interplay between optimism and physical health. They recognize the importance of words in shaping a patient’s outlook toward the future.
The Science Behind Hope and Optimism
According to the new studies, understanding how people view the world can help define the best path to recovery. An initiator is a person who focuses on how he will act regardless of the situation. A responder is a person who focuses on how he will react to situations he encounters. In our culture, we tend to be more optimistic if we approach a crisis as an initiator. In other cultures, seeing themselves as more interdependent, people are more optimistic as responders.
The goal is to help steer patients toward the mindset that will benefit them most. Family members and health care professionals can influence mindset by helping patients frame and visualize their recovery processes.
If people have a positive outlook on life, they seem more likely to take care of themselves. They’re likely to watch their diet and exercise more. They take their vaccinations and don’t miss medical checkups. Additionally, if an individual carries a positive outlook on aging, it can have a significant impact on his long-term brain health.
At Home Care Assistance, we believe in working with our clients to help them achieve health and meaningfulness in longevity. Call us if you need support caring for a loved one suffering from dementia or any other cognitive decline.
Contact Amanda Butas, certified dementia practitioner and your Mesa client care manager, at (480) 699-4899 to see how our caregivers can help your loved one thrive. You also can visit us at our new office next to Bed Bath and Beyond, located on Power and McKellips roads, at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103.