Mind over matter

Ernest Shackleton once said that "optimism is true moral courage."

And nowhere is that more true than when beset by ill health.

More and more, though, we're discovering that a positive mental attitude can be one of the most significant medicines.

This report, from Science Translational Medicine and NPR show that up to half of a drug's efficacy is simply believing that it will work.  That medicine actually works better if you think it's working.

Optimism can physically change your health.  Specifically:

• lower your odds for heart disease by 30  - 50%
• Improve decision-making ability.
• provide Stronger immunity
• cut your risk for a life-threatening stroke by 10%

 

Sure, you can always go with that cynical/ironic hipster thing...but who'd want to?

The glass really is half full.