Hope

What is it about the New Year? For some a new year can bring a sense of hope and possibility. For others, a new year can stimulate anxiety, depression or concerns about the future. Questions like “where do I want to go in my life…what have I accomplished” can excite or flatten us.  No matter what camp you fall in, there is a sense of hope that pervades the beginning of a new year. And even more so, a new decade. Many people make resolutions and attempt to begin anew.  While hope may seem like a fluffy, sunshine and rainbows concept, there’s research showing both the benefits of hope as well as the components that differentiate hope from being just an empty concept of good feelings. 

Researchers have found that hope can positively impact productivity at work, academic performance, decrease mortality and improve mental health. In a study of college students for their levels of anxiety, depression and hope, it was found that those who had more hope in the initial assessment later had less depression and anxiety. (Journal of Personality, 2007) A study of elders found an 18% higher mortality rate amongst those measured who had less hope. (Psychosomatic Medicine, 2001)

So what is hope?  An original hope researcher, Charles R. Synder, PhD developed a definition that includes goals, agency and pathways. Goals give us something to look forward to and a map of where we want to end up. Agency is our sense of our ability to achieve our goals or make changes in our lives. It’s our belief that we can take the steps we need to. Pathways are the roads and routes we can take toward our goals.  

So questions to ask yourself in the New Year: What are your goals or intentions?Check them out to make sure they are both things you want and that are possible. A big component of hope that is different from wishing or optimism, is that you are contacting the reality of where you are and where you want to be. It’s facing reality but with a sense that your situation can and will be different through your actions or agency. Ask yourself if your goals need to be broken down into smaller steps or pieces.If our goals are not possible or too big and we don’t meet them, we can turn against ourselves, criticizing ourselves for not meeting the mark. This can decrease self-esteem, increase anxiety and compound depression.  Making smaller more reachable steps increases self-confidence, supporting our well-being. Last, who or what can support you to achieve your goals? Support is invaluable either from loved ones, community, friends and family. What do you need to keep or stay hopeful? 

Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Be well.