The Power Of Optimism: Increasing Moments Of Joy In Daily Life

You may have heard of the saying, “Do you see the glass half empty or half full?” Those who feel the glass is half full might be called optimists; however, optimism tends to be more than what’s encompassed within this metaphor. Being optimistic can be a lifestyle, as well as a form of daily mindfulness and appreciation. Understanding how optimism may benefit your life can help you make an informed choice on the behaviors you choose to let prosper. A licensed therapist can help you embrace more optimism in your everyday life.

What does it mean to have optimism?

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), optimism can be defined as a positive attitude and belief that ideal outcomes are possible and can be fulfilled. People who identify as optimists might enjoy looking at the world from a lens of hope, inspiration, and perseverance. 

Optimists may take more healthy risks than pessimists, and they tend to be more likely to make prudent financial decisions. A few other traits of optimists may include the following: 

• The belief that most problems can be solved 
• Self-motivation
• Life satisfaction
• Resilience
• A desire to persevere instead of quitting 
• Forgiveness and acceptance

Is optimism unrealistic or naïve?

Optimistic people may have lived experiences of the impacts of their optimism. For example, they may have noticed how being optimistic allowed them to escape a distressing situation and find healing. They may have felt that their optimism was a reminder of what they could accomplish in their most difficult moments, empowering them to open a non-profit to help others, for instance.

In general, optimism doesn’t refer to blindly rejecting facts, but understanding that facts can be accepted, worked through with problem-solving, processed, opened up for discussion, and understood. For those who face societal stigmas and disparities, optimism may be a way to cope with the feeling of loss of control. It might prompt you to start a protest, contact officials, or share your feelings with friends. 

Optimism has often been linked to psychological resilience as well.

Optimism vs. pessimism vs. realism

Pessimism and realism can be seen as two other schools of thought. Pessimism generally involves a mindset of disappointment or acceptance that one cannot, will not, or isn’t capable of change. Meanwhile, realism can be defined as a theory stating that objects and situations are independent and not connected to the belief of the observer. 

Although these belief systems may offer comfort, they can be detrimental. Pessimism often involves negative thoughts that can harm the individual. It can lead to not taking risks, feeling stuck, and assuming the worst in others. These traits can lead to difficulty maintaining relationships, persevering through fear, and connecting with culture. 

Realism may be harmful because it tends to contradict research. Although logical reasoning can be essential in some situations, it may prove unhelpful in others. Emotional intelligence often stems from optimism and a belief in oneself. Realism can make it seem that no one has control over their circumstances through their thinking. 

Popular therapy methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), frequently focus on how thoughts can change a person’s perception of reality. 

Studies have also proven that people are usually more likely to feel happy and prosperous when believing in mild positive illusions than the whole truth. 

What are the benefits of using optimism daily?

Practicing optimism in your daily life can have several potential benefits.

Increased moments of joy

Optimism can be directly linked to joy and happiness. When you practice optimism daily, you may notice parts of your life that you appreciate more than you did in the past. Knowing you can persevere after a challenge can offer concrete proof of your resilience, potentially giving you a chance to feel happier, even in the face of challenging events or circumstances.  

Hope

Optimism can offer hope for those going through challenging situations. For example, if your health is poor, you might use optimism to believe that good things are possible in the future. Without hope, it can be possible to persevere, but you may feel more anxious or depressed about your situation and lose focus on the meaning you might gain from your current situation. 

Mental and physical wellness

Optimism is often linked to a variety of mental and physical health benefits, such as those listed below. 

• Reduced risk of re-hospitalization after cardiac surgery
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Reduced risk of infection
• Reduced mortality rate 
• Reduced depression and anxiety
• Reduced stress

Although optimism can seem naïve, or you may believe that you’re “lying to yourself” in order to be optimistic, being hopeful, open-minded, and optimistic aren’t usually associated with harm in the way pessimism can be.

Motivation

An optimistic attitude may motivate you to make changes in your life. If you notice an area that isn’t ideal, having hope can remind you that change is possible, prompting you to start looking for avenues of support. 

How to be more optimistic

Optimism is a skill that can be improved over time. If you’re struggling to start, you can cultivate the following practices. 

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness can be seen as an ancient spiritual practice that has been adapted into a secular therapeutic technique. The purpose of mindfulness is generally to gather awareness of your current state of being, bodily sensations, and the environment without letting judgment or blame arise. Some people practice mindfulness through meditation practices with guided audio. Others might use mindfulness as a lifestyle. 

Researchers have found that mindfulness can increase optimism, hope, and positive affect for many. To practice, you might look for deep breathing exercises to start. You can then move into body scans, compassion exercises, and other forms of mindfulness. 

Make a gratitude journal

Some people keep a daily gratitude journal to explore their feelings of appreciation, as journaling has often been associated with increased mental well-being. In a gratitude journal, you can list what made you feel grateful during your day or write an entry focused on what you love and appreciate. 

If you struggle to write, you can try an art journal. With an art journal, you can show gratitude by pasting in magazine cutouts, words, poems, stickers, or photos that make you feel grateful. You can also use your drawings with short labels to explain a story from your day. 

Appreciate yourself and others

One way to use optimism can be to show appreciation to those you love. You can say “thank you” to someone who has recently done a favor for you or remind your family and friends how much you love and care for them. 

Try to remember to appreciate yourself as well. Self-care can be one way to care for your body and mind, and you can do it from home. You might spend time with pets, journal, read a book, or take a hot bath to unwind. 

Optimism support options

Optimism is a skill that may not come easily to everyone. If you’re struggling to feel optimistic, you may be living with an underlying mental health concern. However, regardless of diagnosis or mental illness, therapy can be an option for you. 

Benefits of online therapy

If you face any barriers to treatment, such as anxiety, cost, or location, you can also try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapists can guide you in optimism, mindfulness, and other skills to help you meet your emotional and physical life goals. They may use online worksheets, webinars, journaling prompts, and other resources you can access from home. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Studies generally back up the effectiveness of online therapy, suggesting that it’s often just as effective as its in-person counterpart. Online therapy is often used for the treatment of a variety of mental health disorders, including depression, which may be linked to pessimism.