You woke up late. You couldn’t get a seat on the train. You were late for work. Again. You forgot your lunch. Your computer at work is suddenly the slowest thing on this Earth. Everyone and everything is just a hassle today.
…and you doubt if things will be any different tomorrow.
Some people always assume that only bad things in life will happen. This pessimistic outlook is typical of the 50% of Americans who assume things are only getting worse.
Surprisingly, a recent study even said that pessimists actually live longer lives!
However…there’s a difference between expecting money to grow on trees and facing your life with a smile a little more often. Plus, studies have also proven that negativity and unhappiness can lead to stress, depression and other health problems, such as if you’re in an unhappy marriage.
So, what can you do to be a little more optimistic a little more often?
What Is Optimism?
Pessimists are in the habit of explaining the events in their lives in a way that makes them seem dire. They tend assume that whatever went wrong will stay wrong, while allowing those “wrong” things to take control of their entire day.
Optimists, on the other hand, approach life differently. They realize that, while bad things happen, good things happen, too. They’re more resilient in the face of disaster or tragedy and are happier with their lives in general, in addition to being generally healthier, including having stronger immune systems.
Why? According to experts, one reason for this is because optimists learn to cope well and tend to reach out to others for help and support, as well as not letting those “wrong” things that happen outweigh everything else.
How To Be More Optimistic
Meditate. For at least a few minutes a day, sit in a quiet place and think of positive things, such as your favorite color, a favorite vacation spot, good things that happened today, things you’re thankful for, future goals you’d like to see happen, etc. Stay in the moment without distracting thoughts. You can listen to soothing music, or simply sit in silence. Using calming scented oil, such as lavender, may help you focus.
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Take Better Care Of Yourself. Simple things, like making sure to take your time, drinking more water, watching a funny movie and/or treating yourself to a special dinner once a week, can help you better combat negativity by giving you something to be proud of, something to look forward to, and something to be able to smile about.
Write it Down. Many experts believe that keeping a journal can be very therapeutic for mental health. Every night, write down the good things that happened that day…and be thankful for those things.
Positive thinking can happen. When you see things in a positive light, real and longer-lasting changes in the quality of your life can occur. With a “glass half full” attitude, you’ll soon find that you cup runneth over!
