In our modern world that seems inundated with negative headlines, adopting an optimistic outlook may seem naive to most people who have become cynical to the world around them. Yet, research in applied psychology suggests optimism is not only beneficial for personal well-being, but also enhances our resilience, improves mental health, and leads to a better overall quality of life. The case for optimism isn’t just hoping for the best. Optimism involves developing a positive mindset that can lead us through obstacles and difficulties in life.
One of the key benefits of being optimistic is increased resilience. Psychologists have found that optimists are better at coping with life stress and are more likely to bounce back from negative life experiences. Optimists believe life always gets better and try to see the positive lessons in negative situations, while pessimists and cynics do the opposite. For example, there was a study by Sunwoo Lee, a senior research associate at Palacky University Olomouc in the Czech Republic. He examined resilience and optimism during the COVID pandemic among older European adults. The results showed that resilience and optimism are positively linked with psychological well-being in older adults and were able to cope better with the stressors of the pandemic. When we maintain optimism, we are more likely to focus on solutions and maintain an optimistic mindset, rather than giving up.
Optimism also has tangible benefits for physical and mental health. A study by Affleck, Tennen, and Apter (2001) investigated emotional well-being in persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and fibromyalgia. The results showed day-to-day happiness was positively linked to optimism. Optimists have lower levels of depression and anxiety as well as cardiovascular health. One explanation is that optimism decreases stress, which then lowers stress hormones such as cortisol that can hurt physical health long-term. In contrast, pessimism is associated with increased inflammation and weaker immune systems. The reason is due to the chronic stress that results from constantly being pessimistic and negative. Even better, optimism leads to healthier lifestyles, such as working out consistently and eating better as optimists have higher motivation to focus on their health to ensure a bright future.
Moreover, optimism impacts our personal relationships and social life. Optimists are more likely to have better support systems than pessimists. They view people in a positive light as opposed to treating others with skepticism. Social support is beneficial to our well-being, acting as a safeguard against stress and giving us a sense of meaning and togetherness. By expecting positive outcomes, optimists are better at handling conflicts when they arise and looking for ways to find a compromise, which leads to more satisfying relationships.
Essentially, we all have the ability to embrace optimism. With mindfulness and positive psychology, we can disrupt negative thinking and replace it with optimism.. Everyone will face challenges and stress in life, but choosing to have an optimistic outlook gives us the ability to see negative events as opportunities for personal growth, which in turn leads to increased resilience and a happier life.
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems (3rd ed.).
Lee, S. (2023, January 15). Exploring the Role of Resilience and Optimism during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older European Adults. Sage Journals. https;//doi.org/10.1177/01640275231152570
I love that your post is solid in providing evidence and provides the benefits of optimism not only for mental health, but overall wellbeing as well. While I love the benefits of optimism, I do wish to delve into the biomechanics of optimism. Through personal experience, while experiencing an episode of depression in my life, I found it very difficult, if not impossible to think optimistically. While I do appreciate the view of having percieved control over our thoughts and thought processes, sometimes I wonder how much control we have. This can turn into an almost philosophical debate of whether free will exists or not, and while I do not want to get into the realm of completely conceptual thought, I do want to ponder the thought processes of having the ability to change our thought processes without perhaps external change for instance. If our bodies do not feel good, are our thoughts going to be good or positive? If we are in a situation where the environement is not conducive to our wellbeing, will we be able to muster up a silver lining, at least before some aspect of the situation has changed? While I do love the idea of optimism and it’s benefits, I wonder if it can also be more so a biproduct of what we are feeling internally and experiencing externally. Are pessimistic thoughts sometimes necessary? Are negative thoughts necessary? If it means stearing us towards an environment that is more conducive to our overall well-being, then I would say yes. I think there is a certain aspect of strength intertwined with optimism and I do believe, if we are able to hold onto optimism in a rational and not manic like way (throwing logic out the window) then that is surely a sign that we still have a light of hope within us.
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications
I loved reading your post! Unfortunately, I know exactly how it feels like to be pessimistic all the time, and the findings you have mentioned accurately describe what has happened to me. It was only this summer when I coughed for three months straight because my asthma got so severe. This was when I was working at a job I hated. I had to quit to recover. That is only among one of the many things that has happened to me due to several years of constant self-criticism and cynicism. I can say from experience that you really do need optimism to take care of yourself!
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications