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What is optimism? -

The dictionary definition of optimism is a feeling that good things will happen and that something will be successful.

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Hope for the future -

The word also refers to hopefulness and confidence about the future.

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"I get to" mindset -

A simple way of becoming more optimistic is to adopt a "I get to" mindset. For example, rather than complaining about having to go work, think of it as "I get to go to work." You see, optimism is also about recognizing your privilege and not taking it for granted. But what are the other signs of optimism?

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Key characteristics -

Key characteristics of an optimist include the feeling that good things will happen in the future.

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Only the best -

Expecting things to work out for the best is another sign of an optimist.

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No obstacles -

Optimists tend to regard challenges or obstacles as opportunities to learn.

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Good out of bad -

Furthermore, an optimist thinks that even good things can come from adverse events.

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Gratefulness -

An overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the good things in life is another hallmark of an optimist.

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Possibility -

And an optimist is forever looking for ways to make the most of opportunities.

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You feel that the future looks bright -

In fact, an optimist's future is always bright. Or is it?

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Half full, half empty? -

While optimists will usually say the glass is half full, pessimists will invariably point out that it's half empty. Who's right?

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Optimism vs. pessimism -

An optimistic person sees good things everywhere, whereas a pessimistic individual observes mainly the negative aspects of everything around.

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Optimism, pessimism, and realism -

Research published by Psychology Today, however, demonstrates that "tempering a sunny disposition with a small dose of realism, or even pessimism, might be the best way to build resilience and achieve one's goals."

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Optimism bias -

Indeed, being overly optimistic can actually be harmful. Too much optimism can derail projects and even put your health at risk, say experts. By downplaying the possibility of negative outcomes you run the risk of losing sight of reality. This phenomenon is known as optimism bias.

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Is optimism good for the brain? -

That said, is optimism good for the brain? Absolutely! There's little doubt that being optimistic is good for the gray matter.

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Buffer against negative effects -

Optimism reduces stress, triggers the production of dopamine, and buffers against falling into depression.

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Mental and physical well-being -

By influencing the mind, optimism in turn improves well-being by promoting a healthy lifestyle: optimists have healthier outlooks and tend to live longer than their more pessimistic counterparts.

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Who is likely to be more optimistic, men or women? -

This is an interesting question. How do you measure levels of optimism in men and women? Some of the answers are very interesting.

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Gender optimism gap -

According to Trajectory, men and women generally share the same levels of optimism. But there are gender differences in what they are optimistic about. For example, men tend to hold more optimistic views about the economic future.

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Strength in numbers -

Women on the other hand are far less optimistic about world security, cites the American Counseling Association. To counter this pessimism, they find strength in numbers, therefore becoming more optimistic than men because of their close friendships.

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When the chips are down -

Interestingly, during economic downturns the gender difference disappears. Indeed, the societal and economic factors that dictate optimism produce very similar changes in feelings during a recession.

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How to practice optimism -

So, are you a pessimist seeking a more optimistic lifestyle? Well, a proportion of any optimistic attitude is actually due to hereditary influences.

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Optimism levels -

Research suggests that genetics determine about 25% of your optimism levels. While your socioeconomic status also plays a role, those with certain psychological traits, or resources, can fare better in challenging situations. But this doesn't mean that you can't actively improve your attitude. So, how is this done?

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Mindfulness -

Becoming more mindful can increase optimism levels. Mindfulness is a focus on being engaged, attentive, and present in the here and now.

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Express gratitude -

As previously outlined, those who regularly express gratitude tend to demonstrate increased optimism and resilience to adversity.

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Keep a journal -

Journaling is an ideal way of channeling your emotions onto paper. Writing down positive thoughts can help promote optimism.

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Learned optimism -

In some instances it's possible to develop learned optimism. In psychology, learned optimism is a concept that says we can change our attitude and behaviors by recognizing and challenging our negative self-talk, in other words confronting a pessimistic attitude.

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Dispelling doubt and despair -

Embracing the concept of learned optimism allows pessimists to essentially learn to be optimists. It's another way of confronting any doubt and despair in your life.

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Positive thinking -

Take this one step further by analyzing the areas in your life where you feel you can bring optimism, and work on building better habits and positive thinking.

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A more positive world -

Pain and pessimism dictate much of the world right now. That's why it is more important than ever to balance it out with positivity and optimism.

Sources: (Psychology Today) (American Psychological Association) (BBC) (ScienceDirect) (Trajectory) (American Counseling Association) (NBC News) (National Institutes of Health) (Positive Psychology)

See also: How to make positive affirmations really work for you

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