Do you see the glass as half empty?

This Week's Tip Do you see the glass as half empty? Looking on the bright side isn't just about improving your mental state; it's also a boon to your heart. In a groundbreaking 2009 issue of the American Heart Association journal Circulation, researchers found that not only did optimism seem to protect against heart disease and death but also that pessimism seemed to increase the risk. Furthermore, subjects with the highest degree of hostility and cynicism were also more likely to die from all causes than those who had more upbeat attitudes. Pessimists were more likely than optimists to have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and suffer from depression (which has also been linked to poor heart health). Cynics are also more likely to be overweight, smoke and avoid exercise. All reason to start focusing on what's good in life, right? Luckily, you can actually become a more positive person—if you work at it. Here are some tips to fostering a stronger sense of gratitude, as well as unleashing your inner optimist. Perfect a Positive Outlook! More Tips for a Healthy Heart   Heart Friendly Recipe Cottage Pie Just like Chef Meg's mom (who was from Britain) used to make! Get the Recipe See More Healthy Heart Recipes Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 4  Amount Per Serving  Calories: 271.3 Total Fat: 4.8 g Cholesterol: 100.0 mg Sodium: 309.0 mg Total Carbs: 35.7 g   Dietary Fiber: 6.9 g Protein: 23.4 g View full nutritional breakdown of Cottage Pie by ingredient     From Our Healthy Heart Community spin points today (Team Forum) OTC Products (Team Forum) More Forum Posts...       Was this e-mail forwarded to you by a friend? Join the mailing list. Change your e-mail address   You get 1 SparkPoint for reading today's email.   You received this email because you signed up for one of SparkPeople's email newsletters. To unsubscribe please do not reply to this message. Instead, you can use this link to unsubscribe from this newsletter. To remove yourself by postal mail, send a letter or postcard with your email address to: SparkPeople.com, 310 Culvert Street Suite 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202 SparkPeople.com offers general information and is for educational purposes only. sparkpeople.com is not a prescription system and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult your health-care provider before starting any nutrition or fitness program, and should consult with your provider about any concerns or questions. © 1999-2014 SparkPeople, All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy