OPTIMISM

Optimism is the hopefulness and confidence of something or a success; it is a mental attitude reflecting a belief that the outcome of some specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. “Optimism doesn't wait on facts. It deals with prospects. Pessimism is a waste of time.” - Norman Cousins. Optimism is looking at the positive aspects of things. It is also a hopeful anticipation that future events will be favorable. Basically, it is seeing and expecting the best in all things. “Optimism is a mindset that enables people to view the world, other people and events in the most favorable, positive light possible. Some people describe this as the ‘half glass full’ mentality, (a case where a pessimist sees it as half empty, not half full),” says Dr. Aparna Iyer, “Optimists do acknowledge negative events, but they are more likely to avoid blaming themselves for the bad outcome, inclined to view the situation as a temporary one and likely to expect further positive events in the future.” Optimists are usually pegged as those who only see the positive in every situation, experts say that’s not true, either. “Positive thinking doesn't mean that you ignore life's stressors. You just approach hardship in a more productive way,” says Kimberly Hershenson, LMSW. “Constructing an optimistic vision of life allows one to have a full interpersonal world in spite of unfortunate circumstances, it reduces feelings of sadness/depression and anxiety, increases your lifespan, fosters stronger relationships with others and provides a coping skill during times of hardship. Being optimistic allows you to handle stressful situations better, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.” Do you tend to see the positive, even in trying situations? Or do you immediately assume the worst and focus on the negative? both categories (optimism and pessimism) has a lot to do with upbringing and environment, it could be altered though; “Optimism can definitely be a learned trait,” agreed Iyer, who says she works with many clients to cultivate a more optimistic outlook. “Just because you have been a pessimist for most of your life does not mean that you are destined to always be a pessimist. In fact, there are many effective ways to adopt an optimistic mindset.” She says. Here are a handful of tactics that will help you begin to see the glass half full, not empty: 1. "Try On" a Positive Lens: Yes, shifting your perspective is as easy as consciously thinking happy thoughts. Experts refer to the tactic as "positive reframing." “For example, if a person expresses that an entire day was ruined because it was dark or rainy outside, focus on what may have been gained during that time. Often, it may involve spending time indoors relaxing, reading or cuddling up to a loved one. Instead of looking at events in the most negative possible light, make an active effort to ‘try on’ positive lenses as much as possible. After a while, this will become effortless, a more automatic and optimistic frame of mind.” Making this conscious effort not only shifts your viewpoint in the short term, but it may actually train your brain to think more positively. As Davidson’s research revealed, the more we consciously reframe scenarios in a positive light, the more we train our brains to fire up circuits in different regions, eventually altering our response to negative experiences. 2. Take Note of the Company you Keep: We all have those friends who are chronic complainers or gossipers. After spending a few hours with them we find ourselves unsettled. It’s clear; Negativity is contagious. Luckily, positive emotions can be contagious, too. “Just as some diseases are contagious,” Christakis says, “we’ve found that many emotions can pulse through social networks,” says Nicholas Christakis, an HMS professor of medical sociology and of medicine found that happiness may be a collective phenomenon; Having a happy spouse, or a friend or neighbor, who lives within a mile of you appears to increase the probability that you will be happy as well. 3. Write in a Journal for a Few Minutes Each Day: Researchers define gratitude as the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, or a general state of thankfulness, no doubt a mental state that fosters an optimistic outlook. But it can be easier said than done to remain grateful throughout day to day stressors . A smart way to ease into it is by journaling, a popular technique for cultivating gratitude that takes just minutes each day. “I will often ask my clients to keep gratitude journals. At the end of each day, they will write down one or two things that they experienced or witnessed during the day that filled them with gratitude, says Iyer. “It is really important to note that this could be anything — a cup of coffee that filled you with joy, a random act of kindness by a stranger or even breathing in some fresh air on your morning walk. This will allow you to focus on the positives of your day and cultivate an optimistic mindset, a perfect note on which to end your day.” 4. Acknowledge what you Can - and Cannot - Control: “While some people may be unable to deal with uncertainty, positive individuals are able to adapt and thrive. Accept what you can and cannot control in the situation,” says Hershenson. “For example, if you lose your job you cannot control the fact that you were fired or laid off. You can control whether you take steps to find a new job as well as whether you take care of yourself with proper nutrition and sleep.” Practicing mindfulness is a great way to help combat the tendency to ruminate over daily stressors, which is a breeding ground for negativity. “We often ruminate endlessly without really focusing on the task at hand,” says Weiss. “If you can learn to be in the present space (while allowing other thoughts to enter your brain but then pushing them gently away) without judgement or thought about past or future, you will find that there’s less room for pessimism,” says Weiss. 5. Don't Forget to Acknowledge the Negative: It's important to remember that making an effort to be more optimistic doesn’t mean walking around wearing rose-colored glasses. While it's good for our mental health to see the positive in situations, not acknowledging the negative can hinder you in the long run. “Optimism can be detrimental if it keeps you locked into fantasy and you are in denial about your current reality. You may be optimistic about finding a more lucrative job or loving relationship, but if you do not address the issues that are keeping you from those goals, you will not be able to create what you want,” says Ward. “A combination of optimism and realistic thinking help people navigate through life. Realistic thinking does not mean never seeing the bright side of life; not at all. It is simply a way of supporting your optimism with the action steps so that you can create a positive future as opposed to being stuck in fantasy.” In life, movement and growth is essential, which optimism helps us achieve. By: Sydiqah Uthman @rebirth_2003