Recent science studies have shown that having a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive energy, surroundings, and people, you can be healthier inside and out. This can even help you live longer!

In people, when we are negative, aka “Negative Nancy” all the time, it can affect your health and create a domino effect with the people and loved ones around you.  If your are negative all the time, you are more at risk for disease, sickness, and more health complications. you are also at risk of death from cardiovascular disease and more likely to catch to common cold.

So who wants to be a “Debby Downer”?

Positivity can come in many ways: emotions, physical feel and appearance, and social activity. Being positive can increase confidence, and your lifespan. It also lowers stress and depression. Acting positive and being so will also improve psychological and physical well-being.

Why are we learning this in a high school class room?

Tyrone health teacher Mrs. Teresa Myers says “It makes you feel more accomplished, more energetic.” She also states that when she has a dark cloud hanging over her, “I always remember, no matter how bad life seems that someone out there has it worse than I do, and people would rather be around someone more positive.”

Freshman Brooke McCready says “I would rather be around someone positive because if you fall down, you know they are always going to be there to pick you up.” She also states that negativity just causes you to also be negative.

Basically we are like dominos. If one falls, the rest follow.

Positivity and negativity spread through us like the dominos. We pass our attitude and energy on and on to each other and those around. “It’s [negativity/positivity] contagious” freshman Makayla Ritchey says.

“There are ways to stay positive,”  Myers explains. “You can keep pictures near you or on items you use every day because looking at those pictures can remind you how you felt during that picture or how the picture makes you feel.” She also says to find a quote that reminds you that you are strong and beautiful and write it down and keep it on you or in your locker, if you are in school still.

Staying positive can benefit your health, but letting it all the negativity out can also be beneficial.