OPTIMISM
“For myself I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else.”
Optimism is not wishful thinking, denying the negative, or forcing a rosy outlook. It is the ability to accept the full spectrum of inner experience and choose the perspective that maximizes well-being. The future is bright for an optimist because they know their actions matter and they have some control over the things that happen in their lives. Despite the brain’s innate tendency to focus on the negative, optimism is a skill that can be learned and cultivated. This module highlights the impressive physical and psychological benefits of optimism and offers several research-based strategies to grow this trait resulting in a more resilient, confident, optimistic you.
Contributors: Andrea Hunsaker, Jared Warren, Zachary Clement, Rachael Fuhriman