We all know one, or maybe you are that person: the negative Nancy or Ned who always sees the glass as half-empty. It can be difficult staying optimistic in a world where it’s tough to stay positive.
But believe it or not, there are many benefits to staying optimistic in a negative world.
Here are five reasons you should never give up on your optimism!
There are many benefits of optimism that often go overlooked.
Optimists tend to have a “growth mindset.” They believe their abilities and skills can develop through patience, effort and perseverance. As a result, optimists are more likely to take on challenges and persist in facing setbacks.
Being optimistic helps you achieve goals and make good decisions for yourself. It helps you believe that success is possible. If we think it’s possible, we’re more likely to try harder and work longer to make it happen. Lastly, it motivates us when things get tough—it helps us keep going even when things seem impossible at first glance (or even second or third!).
Optimism can help improve your physical, health, and well-being.
Studies have shown that people with a more positive outlook on life are generally healthier and tend to live longer and healthier lives.
The article from Harvard Health says [1]
Optimism helps people cope with disease and recover from surgery. Even more impressive is the impact of a positive outlook on overall health and longevity. Research tells us that an optimistic outlook early in life can predict better health and a lower rate of death during follow-up periods of 15 to 40 years.
Optimism has been linked with lower stress and anxiety levels.
Staying optimistic can have several benefits for your mental health.
For one, it can increase your resilience in the face of adversity. When you’re optimistic, you’re more likely to see challenges as temporary setbacks and believe you can overcome them. Optimism can help you cope with difficult situations and quickly bounce back from failure.
In addition to increasing your resilience, optimism can also improve mental health. Studies have shown that optimistic people are less likely to experience depression and anxiety. They also tend to have lower levels of stress and better life satisfaction. So, cultivating a more optimistic outlook on life may be an excellent place to start if you’re looking to boost your mood and mental well-being.
Optimism can help you succeed professionally.
Optimistic people also tend to be more successful in their careers. This is because they are more likely to take risks and seize opportunities when they come up. It also helps you make better decisions.
For example, if you’re having trouble finding the right customers for your product, optimism will help you attract them—like offering free samples or hosting a demo night at their favourite bar. You’ll make smarter choices when it comes time to pivot or rebrand because optimism gives you the confidence that whatever happens next will be okay.
Optimistic people tend to be more successful professionally because they believe their actions will result in positive outcomes—even if those aren’t guaranteed.
Optimism can help you succeed professionally by helping you handle the ups and downs of your career without getting too down on yourself or others. It also keeps you motivated when things aren’t going well and keeps you from giving up when things are tough.
Finally, optimism is contagious!
When you’re optimistic, it’s like you’re a candle in the dark—you give off light and warmth that can help others see the good in their lives. When you’re optimistic, it’s like you’re spreading joy. And when those around us feel our happiness, they’ll often feel compelled to spread their joy too. It’s a cycle of positivity that keeps going and growing until it becomes a beautiful thing that can change everything.
What to do to stay optimistic
Surrounding yourself with positive people will only increase your optimism levels. It makes sense that if positive people surround you, their optimistic outlook on life will rub off on you. This is likely why you tend to feel better when you’re in a good mood with friends or family members. Their good vibes are infectious, and it can be hard not to catch this optimism.
But it’s not just the people around you who influence your mood. The things you see and read can also affect your level of optimism. For example, if you spend a lot of time reading the news, you’re likely exposed to negative stories that can bring your mood down. On the other hand, if you seek out positive news stories or read uplifting books, you may become more optimistic.
It’s important to remember that optimism isn’t just about having happy thoughts; it’s also about taking action towards goals. So even if your current circumstances aren’t ideal, if you remain optimistic and focus on what you can do to improve your situation, you increase your chances of success.
Conclusion
In the end, there are far more reasons why we should celebrate optimism in a negative world than there are reasons to be cynical or pessimistic. As men and women, we must see things for what they are worth, find the good in them, and use that goodness to inspire others to become better people. Through this optimist lens—in our work and personal lives—we elevate not just ourselves but society as a whole. So don’t give up on optimism just yet! The world could use more of it.
References
[1] Harvard Health Publishing (2008). Optimism and your health – Harvard Health. [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/optimism-and-your-health.
Images Used
Photo by Helena Lopes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-having-fun-together-under-the-sun-708392/
Photo by Andre Furtado: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-surrounded-by-sunflowers-1263986/
Photo by Quang Anh Ha Nguyen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/jumpshot-photography-of-woman-in-white-and-yellow-dress-near-body-of-water-884977/
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/laughing-businesswoman-working-in-office-with-laptop-3756679/
0 Comments