Gary Tetz

Research shows cynical people die younger and are three times more likely to get dementia? Yeah, right. I’d like to see who paid for that study. And I just read on the Internet that evil corporations representing big-cynicism interests are conspiring to kill innovations in positive attitude in order to keep distrust and pessimism thriving. So change is hopeless. Why bother trying? 

Here’s why. Cynicism is infectious, and in long-term care we serve highly vulnerable people with weakened emotional immune systems who can too easily catch the disease of habitual disbelief and pathological suspicion a lot of us unwittingly transmit. We’re carriers — call me Typhoid Gary —  and there’s no glove-and-mask system to catch those soul-rotting pathogens before they spread. 

In long-term care, we’re quick to pin up reminders all over our buildings telling people to wear masks if they have a cough or fever. But the disease of cynicism might be just as dangerous; signage is not enough to ward it off, and it can take a real toll on your workplace culture.

Shawn Achor, author of “The Happiness Advantage” and star of one of the most popular TED talks in the history of the world, says a positive state of mind brings 23% more energy in times of stress, 31% more productivity, 37% higher sales and 40% greater chance of getting promoted. My cynical side wonders where he got his data, but the rest of me is listening.

So how do we cultivate this unnatural optimism and kill our dark shadows of mistrust? It’s not rocket science, even if we’re pretty sure the moon landing was staged. He suggests the same simple things a lot of self-help gurus do, such as maintaining a gratitude journal, practicing meditation or writing thank-you notes to people.

Happiness is NOT the belief that everything is great,” says the perpetually sunny Achor. “Happiness is the belief that change is possible.” 

Whatever. I mean, what if he’s right?