You look out the window and see your child engaged in outdoor play, and all seems right with the world. They’re having the time of their lives, and you can’t imagine anything bothering them.
But as we’ve noted in past outdoor play articles, kids get stressed. They get worried and they get down.
And while no one can be upbeat all the time, there’s something to be said for teaching your kids to be optimistic. It can help them now, and later in life.
The Science of Optimism
There’s science behind our arguments, with several studies showing both physical and mental benefits to keeping a positive outlook:
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Researchers at Penn State found that boosting optimism can increase a child’s long-term happiness, school success and emotional and physical health.
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The same study found that children with positive outlooks are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, and more likely to be able to recover from hard times.
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Another study at Australia’s Royal Children’s Hospital found evidence that optimistic teenagers were less likely to be depressed.
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Optimism can help the immune system later in life. A study in 2002 looked at senior citizens who had gotten flu vaccines. Those who had a more optimistic outlook showed greater antibody production and better immune outcomes.
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Other studies have shown the link between optimism and major life events, finding that people who try to stay positive respond better to everything from transitioning to college to caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.
Can Optimism Be Taught?
So how do we encourage optimism in our children? Baby steps. Download our new tip sheet, 10 Tips For Raising Optimistic Kids - to learn more about teaching your children to have a more positive outlook on life.
