SAEDNEWS: Hope in life is the expectation of positive outcomes and the belief that goals can be achieved. It serves as the driving force behind human motivation and is essential for both physical and mental well-being. In this article, we explore the significant impacts of hope on life.
Hope is fundamental to human progress. It plays an essential role in life, and according to the Quran, God considers the greatest sin for humans to be losing hope in His mercy. Despite this, the scientific study of hope is still lacking. This article delves into the importance of hope in life and mental health.
Hope and optimism are mental and emotional states focused on enhancing the quality of life. They involve expecting positive outcomes from everyday challenges and events. In other words, hope means engaging in life's activities with a positive outlook, even while acknowledging the potential for negative outcomes.
Having hope in life is a desire and belief that everything will eventually go well in the future. For example, moments like eagerly awaiting an award at a ceremony or confidently anticipating exam results exemplify the feeling of hope.
One undeniable truth about hope is that a fulfilling life cannot be sustained without it. Many paths can foster hope, and religions and worldviews aim to instill this feeling in their followers. Faith in God is central to many ideologies, and one reason people are drawn to religion is that it creates a sense of dependence on a higher power, ensuring hope is never lost.
Life is filled with obstacles, and simply having a goal is not enough. Amid the ups and downs, one must continually move closer to their goals. Hope enables people to face life's challenges with the right mindset and strategies, ultimately leading them to success.
Hope is not just a good feeling; it is a dynamic cognitive motivational system. According to this concept, emotions follow cognition and stay aligned with it. Cognitions related to hope are crucial. Hope leads to learning goals, which are vital for growth and development. People with learning goals are actively involved in their learning, constantly adjusting strategies, and tracking their progress to stay on course. Research has shown that learning goals are positively associated with success in various areas of life, including academics, sports, arts, and business.
On the other hand, people without hope often set performance goals, choosing tasks that offer no real growth or challenges. When they fail, they tend to give up entirely. These individuals feel powerless and lack faith in their ability to achieve their desired future. Ultimately, they become hopeless.
Interestingly, hope is inversely related to depression and anxiety. The more hope a person has, the lower their levels of anxiety and depression. Hope’s primary function, beyond motivating action, is to prevent depression and suicide.
Hopeful thinking has significant neurobiological effects, particularly in goal-directed behavior. According to Norman Cushing, brain researchers believe that what happens in the body can influence the brain, and vice versa. Meaning and hope in life are not just psychological states; they also involve electrochemical interactions that play an important role in immune system functions and throughout the body. Therefore, talking about the biology of hope is not as unscientific as it may seem.
A particularly interesting aspect of hope is its role in diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. Research has shown that hope is directly and indirectly related to cancer in several ways:
Hopeful individuals experience less distress and are better equipped to cope with a cancer diagnosis through more active and positive strategies.
Hopeful people are more goal-oriented and believe they can find effective solutions to their problems and pursue these solutions with passion.
Research indicates that when cancer patients prioritize their life goals, some develop more hopeful perspectives.
Professor Snyder has found that breast cancer patients with high hope tend to have better psychological adjustment during recovery and experience less distress. These individuals tend to focus on positive thoughts and seek out new goals and perspectives during their recovery process.
