In other words, they’re optimists!
Optimism is defined as a mental attitude characterized by hope and confidence in success and a positive future.
Optimists tend to view hardships as learning experiences or temporary setbacks.
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Even the most miserable day holds the promise for them that “tomorrow will probably be better.”
Optimistsexpect good things to happen, whereas pessimists instead predict unfavorable outcomes.
Also explore how this optimistic outlook can help reduce stress and improve your overall health and well-being.
Signs of Optimism
Does it ever seem like things are actually going to be OK?
If that’s the case, then congrats, you’re probably a bit of an optimist.
Even if today was a disaster, you know that tomorrow is another chance to make things great.
Are You an Optimist or Pessimist?
Take ourfast and free quizto find out if you are more of an optimist or pessimist.
What Makes Someone an Optimist?
Genetics, upbringing, culture, and other environmental influences can influence optimism.
Research has also shown that optimism and pessimism are influenced by neurophysiology.
But it doesn’t all depend on biology or genetics.
Your environment and experiences also play a role.
Explanatory style orattributional stylerefers to how people explain the events of their lives.
There are three facets of how people can explain a situation.
Instead, we tend to attribute the events in our lives either optimistically or pessimistically.
Conversely, they see negative events as not being their fault (external).
They’ll also believe that it means that more big opportunities will be coming their way.
Pessimist Explanatory Style
Pessimists think in the opposite way.
They believe that negative events are resulting from their own mistakes or traits (internal).
Being passed over for a promotion would probably be explained as not being skilled enough.
They would, therefore, expect to be passed over again.
But this doesn’t mean that you might’t actively improve your attitude.
These include:
It is also possible to developlearned optimism.
Optimistic swimmers didnt have this vulnerability.
Such persistence ultimately means that they are more likely to accomplish their goals.
Such improvements also tend to be long-lasting, suggesting that they are more than a temporary fix.
People with this optimism training appear to be better able to handle future setbacks effectively.
Increased Longevity
Research has shown that optimism is associated with greater longevity.
More specifically, having an optimistic outlook is linked to a lifespan that is 11 to 15% longer.
Less Stress
Optimists also tend to experienceless stressthan pessimists or realists.
Because they believe in themselves and their abilities, they expect good things to happen.
Believing in themselves, they also take more risks and create more positive events in their lives.
Optimists tend to be more proactive when it comes tostress management.
They tend to favor approaches that reduce or eliminate stressors and their emotional consequences.
Because optimists work harder at stress management, they are less stressed.
Can Optimism Ever Have Downsides?
Optimism is generally a positive characteristic that confers a number of physical and mental health benefits.
But this does not mean that is doesn’t have a few potential pitfalls.
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