Ask yourself this question every day to become a little more optimistic
Are you one of those people who sees the glass as half empty or half full? Genetics, culture, the environment we grew up in, life experiences, and many other factors can explain this. Our tendency to be more optimistic or pessimistic,
“Optimism is a mental attitude characterized by hope and belief in success and a positive future,” explains Elizabeth Scott, author and stress management teacher. very good mindOptimists view difficulties as learning experiences or temporary setbacks. Even the saddest day promises them that ‘tomorrow will probably be better’. »And moreover this very notion of daily learning can help us move forward in an optimistic manner.
Question yourself to develop optimism
“What did I do today to become mentally strong? »This is the question psychotherapist Amy Morin asks herself every day. “It’s not just a feel-good exercise—it’s a strategic tool that improves self-awareness and resilience,” she explains. cnbcAfter going through the doubts and asking himself questions, the expert got into the habit of asking himself this question Avoid seeing only the negative at the end of your days“It forced me to look at my day from a perspective of strength,” she says. “Did I show patience in a moment of frustration? Did I challenge any negative thoughts instead of letting them fester? Did I do what was difficult even without wanting to? ,
Although the question may seem a bit pretentious and sometimes difficult to answer, Amy Morin advises Remember the four rules So that this question comes to fruition:
- Focus on what you can control: “There are a lot of things in life you can’t control — the actions of others, unexpected setbacks, the weather,” she explains. This question reminds you to focus on the work you are doing. Instead of ruminating on what went wrong, celebrate what you did right. ,
- Always strive to make progress: There will be days when progress is minimal, but small everyday victories remain essential.
- Improve your self-knowledge: By asking yourself this question, you learn to know yourself more every day and self-knowledge is an essential component of mental strength, she reminds.
- Stay optimistic: “Being mentally strong does not mean being perfect, but rather moving forward, learning from your mistakes and overcoming life’s inevitable obstacles,” assures Amy Morin. This question will remind you of what really matters.
benefits of optimism
Being optimistic is not only a personality trait that makes you who you are, but it also has a direct impact on on your physical and psychological health“Optimism can significantly impact mental and physical well-being through promoting a healthy lifestyle as well as adaptive behavioral and cognitive responses that lead to greater resilience, ability to solve problems, and more effective processing of negative information. List of authors of “A study on the benefits of optimism published in the online journal Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health,
Studies specifically show that optimists are significantly more successful than pessimists in dealing with difficult events. At the same time, other scientific studies have shown Real impact on mental healthOptimists report higher levels of well-being than pessimists Research Of 2018. They also react better to stress. Second Study Further research in 2022 showed that maintaining an optimistic outlook was associated with a lower risk of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and alcohol abuse.