Optimism isnt about being oblivious to the bad stuff.
Optimism defines how we interpret and think about ourselves and the world around us.
It’s about:
Its probably not a surprise that optimistic thinkers tend to be happier than pessimistic thinkers.
Optimists have higher quality and longer-lasting romantic relationships.Danil Nevsky/Stocksy United
But there are other benefits to being optimist.
Here are five that may surprise you.
Click below to listen now.
Optimists Live Longer
Research has consistently linked optimism and overall health and longevity.
Optimists recognize the severity of their condition, but are more likely to take steps to cope with it.
And, perhaps surprisingly, these results hold when only one partner is an optimist.
Other research shows that the more we idealize our partners, the happier we are in our relationships.
Another study demonstrated that part of what makes romantic relationships positive and happy is cooperative problem-solving linked to optimism.
Optimists can also help their partners be more healthy and become more optimistic.
This improved security can even lead to increased optimism.
Optimistic managers may be more effective at helping others to be productive and to achieve their goals.
Optimists get sick less often and get better more quickly.
After the races, coaches provided false feedback about the results, adding a couple seconds.
This difference was small enough be believable but large enough to cause disappointment in the swimmers.
On their second attempt, pessimistic thinkers swam on average 1.6% slower than their first attempt.
The optimistic thinkers, however, swam 0.5% faster than previously.
A Word From Verywell
As much of this research shows, optimism can be learned.
If you’re not already blessed with it, you could work to develop it.
- And then you too can enjoy the many benefits that optimism brings.
Unrealistic Idealization Prevents the Decline of Marital Satisfaction.Psychol Sci.
A community-based group intervention to promote psychological well-being in older adults.Aging Ment Health.
1990;1(2).
2013;4(9A):13-18. doi:10.4236/psych.2013.49A2003
