An interesting piece of news caught my eye recently. New study suggests the brain is very clever at processing good news about the future. But in some people anything negative is virtually ignored – with them retaining a positive world view.
With positive news, all those involved with the study showed more frontal lobe activity - that part associated with error-processing. With negative data, the more optimistic individuals had the least frontal lobe activity whilst the least optimistic had more. It would seem the brain is selecting what evidence it wishes to "hear".
Also, it does appear that being optimistic is good for you; a study of almost 100,000 women showed a lower risk of heart disease and death amongst optimists, but, as the author points out "The negative aspect is that we underestimate risks".
Personally, I am delighted with this study as being optimistic is something I have been writing and chattering about for some long time now.
Until next time (and always optimistic)
Peripatetic Scribe
P.S. a most thoughtful insight. As you know I am in New Zealand and often it's pretty harsh down here. If you don't have the right attitude of mind you are dead in the water. Keep up the optimistic note (and get here soon!!!)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at this:http://youtu.be/_b1GKGWJbE8
Lucana
Lucana - good stuff; hope more people watch it! P.S.
ReplyDelete