The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
If you ever go on social media, watch the news, or consume other forms of content, you might be primed to think in a pessimistic manner. After all, it always seems the world is getting worse and worse. However, being a pessimist is not a good idea for your daily life. Instead, try to break the mold and cultivate optimism.
Optimism has been scientifically proven to contribute to your well-being. It makes you happier and more satisfied with your daily life. It also makes you more resilient. Whenever you face issues, remembering that they are temporary can give a big boost to your ability to overcome them and move on. Optimism enables you to feel less stressed and even get healthier.
Being optimistic should not be confused with wearing rose-tinted glasses. It’s not about believing that everything is fine and dandy. Instead, this mindset involves thinking that things have the potential to get better. Rather than anticipating the worst, optimists are able to stay hopeful.
How can you practice optimism? There are several things you could do to cultivate a more positive mindset. The first step is to train your mind to come up with positive scenarios. If you are prone to imagining catastrophes in the future, instead try to consider positive or neutral scenarios.
Always remind yourself that things can get better. Pay attention to your achievements and to the situations that turn out fine, even when you weren’t expecting that. Learn to recognize situations that go well.
Optimism can be cultivated by a daily focus on the good that you have and the good that’s yet to come. Recognize the negatives but make the effort to also see everything that is working.
Cultivating optimism is not a one-day thing. But if you make the decision and follow through with it, you will see changes. These won’t just impact on how you think but also how you feel. Optimism is sure to enhance your life and make you better able to resist stress. Give it a shot, especially if you have always seen yourself as a pessimist, and you might be surprised by what happens.
