4 Ways to Become More Optimistic

While it’s impossible to always see the world through rose-tinted glasses, being an optimist is a useful ability that has been linked to increased happiness and success in life. Studies show that a positive outlook might even translate into better physical health. In 2007, researchers looked at the relationship between a positive and negative mindset and the mental health of people who survived an explosion in a residential area. [1]

Results showed that those who were more optimistic were less likely to suffer from mental health issues.

Some people are born with a more optimistic mindset than others but in many cases, we’re raised to lean toward either of the outlooks. If your parents always focused on the negatives, you might now struggle to look on the bright side. But the good news is that optimism can be learned. Here’s how you can get started today:

1. Choose realistic optimism

Don’t get fooled by toxic positivity; it’s not healthy to ignore negative emotions and tell yourself that others have it worse or that everything’s fine when something bad happens in your life. The key to becoming optimistic is embracing realistic optimism. Instead of convincing yourself that your life is perfect, it teaches you to find good in every situation. When things don’t go your way, always think about how you can learn from the experience.

2. Try positive affirmations

It’s normal to worry before an important exam or a job interview and optimism doesn’t mean you never experience any negative thoughts. But a person who is optimistic has the ability to argue those thoughts and don’t give them much importance. To rewire your brain to have more faith in your abilities, it’s important to practise positive affirmations. Telling yourself that you can do it and that you’re a valuable person will help you focus on the positives and attribute failure to external forces instead of your personal qualities.

3. Practise self-care

Engaging in activities that promote your well-being is important not only because it allows you to take a break from your responsibilities but also because it’s impossible to work on yourself unless you have enough energy to. As they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup and mental exhaustion will make it harder to look on the bright side.

4. Surround yourself with positivity

Optimism is contagious. If you tend to surround yourself with people who always complain and are never satisfied, you might subconsciously start employing the same kind of mindset. Pay attention to who you follow on social media as well; if your role models are people that focus on the negatives, you’ll feel negative too.


If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Contact My Family Psychologist to see how we can help

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032706005337