APPRECIATE YOUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
GET TO KNOW & UNDERSTAND THE LENS THAT YOU USE TO SEE THE WORLD. LEARN IT’S UNIQUENESS, STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
APPRECIATING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES
It is in our DNA to biologically view the world in a particular way. Some may view the world through an optimistic lens and naturally see the “best of all possible worlds or outcomes”. Others may see the world through a pessimistic lens and naturally see the “worst of all possible worlds or outcomes”. Circumstances in our lives can then further support these views or may provide an alternative way to look at things.
Each view point is needed to make this world go around. We need both individuals to look at the best of all possible worlds and to dream of the future and develop plans that are far reaching without barriers. And we also need those that look at the worst-case scenario, helping us to strategize, prepare and prevent. Either way it is important to ask if your view point is contributing to your overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically and identify if and when you may need to adjust your lens so that you can take better care of yourself .
CATERGORICAL PESSIMISM
When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, managing body weight, and sustaining healthy habits, many individuals can experience "categorical pessimism". Meaning that even if you may be a more optimistic person in all other areas of of life, maintaining a healthy meal plan, managing your weight, and health can sometimes lead you to more pessimistic thinking (doom and gloom).
LEARNED HELPLESSNESS
As a nutrition counselor, I have noticed that even some of the most optimistic people can find that they are pessimistic about this aspect of their life. Pessimism can sometimes lead to giving up easily or viewing this topic with a defeated energy before even getting started. Some may even have learned helplessness (1), which can make you feel like throwing up your hands and saying "no matter how hard I try, it never works".
It is important to share these thoughts and feelings, being vulnerable about how you feel about the process of healthy living. This is the best first step to developing an authentic health plan. You can then build in systems around you to help you grow one step at a time.
Understanding your view point and how it can contribute to your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you is key. Also, appreciate those around you with a differing view point and figure out what you can learn from them that will help you to grow and find balance when you need it.
In the future, we will talking about additional alternatives to optimism and pessimism that can help you to develop resiliency and a growth mindset in starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. More to come...
FOR NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS
IS IT HELPING OR HARMING?
Getting to know your own perspective and your natural tendencies to be optimistic or pessimistic is important so that you can strategize how to support your clients. Even more important is to expect that your client’s perspective may be different from yours. If you have a tendency to be overly optimistic, you may find that if your client is pessimistic you may get frustrated about why they aren’t as excited about their changes or the process. If you have a tendency to be overly pessimistic, then you may be pointing out all the worst case scenarios, when your client may just need words of support.
This doesn’t mean that either individual needs to change their natural tendencies, but that you can help your client to identify the lens they look through and ask if it is helping or harming their journey towards better health.
Later we will talk more about Learned optimism and how to support your client by helping them to have a healthy explanatory style.
References & Further Reading:
(1) Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. New York: Vintage Books.
