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Attitude Matters!

By Herbert M. Goldberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.

herbie.jpg (10370 bytes) Herbert M. Goldberg earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences and an M.D. from the University of South Carolina Medical School in 1967. After completing a general surgery internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Milwaukee, he spent two years in the U.S. Navy practicing general surgery. He was a teaching fellow in plastic and reconstructive surgery and resident at the University of South Carolina Medical School. Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Goldberg was a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He was in private practice in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Encino, California, has written for national journals, and presented papers at local, regional and national conferences. Since ending his practice two years ago, Herbert Goldberg has traveled extensively, volunteering his services in Vietnam, Tanzania, Ecuador and Guatemala.

Faith + Attitude + Intelligent choices + Time management + Hope = FAITH

Do these make our lives better and longer? A friend recently told me a story about a long-lived uncle that suggests this may be so. It seems the uncle, who lived well into his 90’s, seemed to enjoy himself always, although in a nursing home. Indeed, as one of the few eligible men available, he had a reputation as a Casanova in the community. On the other hand, his wife, a pessimist and a hypochondriac, had passed away in her 60’s. This anecdote is supported by a recent study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology of 660 adults 50 and older, that suggests attitude is a key factor in living longer. According to the study, those with positive attitudes lived more than seven years longer than those who took a more negative view of life.

The medical profession has a history of discounting the relationship between an individual’s attitude and the longevity and quality of his or her life. As a physician and “scientist,” I was always guided by a sense that if something had no scientific basis, then it probably was not true. Yet it is becoming clear that, despite the lack of scientific proof, many factors including our attitude toward life, intelligent health choices, and ineffable qualities like faith and hope in the future, can strongly influence our health and prospects for longevity.

The emerging field of psycho immunology (also known as psycho neuroimmunology) points to a connection between the psyche and the physiological processes such as immunity and the body’s responses to illness. We have known for some time that a program of regular exercise and a good diet improve health. Now there is good reason to think that a strong belief system and good attitude are equally beneficial. Certain hormones, antibodies and other bodily mechanisms for combatting illness appear to be increased by positive attitudes.

Yet there is much we don’t fully understand. Are we healthier today because we are using more over-the-counter drugs and vitamins, exercise, stress-relief programs and dietary/herbal remedies, or because our faith in their efficacy produces a so-called placebo effect? If, in fact, our belief that something is good for us actually triggers healing on some level, that could be very good news on at least two counts: lower cost, and few if any side effects. Ongoing studies involving larger numbers of subjects followed for a longer period of time seem to be confirming that psycho immunology works. And clearly, we all have much to gain if these discoveries can be scientifically validated.

In his book, What do You Really Want for Your Children, Dr. Wayne Dyer says that children live longer lives and are more productive if they learn wellness and optimistic attitudes as very young children. Visualization and a sense of humor create positive thoughts. When children laugh, they are actually releasing into their bloodstream chemicals that are necessary for the prevention and cure of disease.

“ The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life,” says minister and motivational speaker, Charles Swindoll. “Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…religious group…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we can change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have. And that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.” We might add to this, whether you think you are a winner or you are a loser, you are right!

Attitude matters. It has an impact on both quality and quantity of life. We may not fully understand why yet, but people like my friend’s uncle don’t need scientific proof. He lived a long and bountiful life and so can we all.