8 Ways To Become An Optimist

Research suggests that people with a glass-half-full outlook are healthier than their pessimistic peers: They catch fewer colds, cope better with heart disease, and may even live longer.

Yet far too many of us assume that optimism is an inborn trait bestowed on a lucky few. That's a completely wrong assumption, says James Maddux, a professor of psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Can people learn to be optimists? "The answer is an indisputable yes," says Maddux.

He and other experts recommend the following:

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Comments

[arx754]

12:10 AM on 07/15/2012

Off-topic, I know but perhaps someone could tell me:

If one is "fanned", how can you tell (under this new notification system HP has) what comment you made that they're fanning you for?

If they "fav" you, too, I can tell, but not if it's a "fan" only.

(Thought that asking this question under an optimism article might get me an answer. Seriously. : )

[yogajan]

01:26 AM on 03/19/2012

I am very pessimistic about the Feel Good movement. It seems like it is composed of (1) losers, (2) people trying to make money off of other people's negative personality and (3) it is basically dishonest.

[littlepuffycloud]

07:00 PM on 03/14/2012

Optimists are born, not made..

[LittleRedEngine]

05:54 PM on 03/14/2012

i never catch colds!

[Angel Whitebird]

01:50 PM on 03/14/2012

After taking care of many sick people in my years of nursing I am surprised at the fact that I am a optimistic person, I was always grateful for the good things that came my way after observing so much misery of the human condition. I always saw that someone else had it worse off than I did. It helped me put things in better perspective.I could be the most negative person in the wolrd if I wanted to, It really is a choice to be either /or. I also noticed the comments below about liberals. I have to laugh as I consider myself the most liberal person on this planet and I am a very optimistic person!..Does that make me a weirdo?..Guess so!..lol!

[ActaNonVerbaNow]

02:36 AM on 03/14/2012

I think this sort of methodology works fine for people that have privileged lives already. If you have a lot of stressors over-thinking them or simply trying to "accept" them. can just make your life worse. Which reminds me of a funny comedy bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbS9jZOlQjc&ob=av3e

[musicmasterno1]

03:31 PM on 03/13/2012

I doubt any of these work.......

[Kevin Mills]

05:03 PM on 03/13/2012

bahhhh, i was thinking the same thing. I'll never think of anything original.

[littlepuffycloud]

07:00 PM on 03/14/2012

lol

[environmentalista]

01:50 PM on 03/13/2012

Good thing about pessimists- they are never disappointed.

[environmentalista]

01:44 PM on 03/13/2012

Why are there only 8 not 10?

[gobigorange5001]

05:39 AM on 03/13/2012

The best way I've found to be an optimist, is to avoid interaction with liberals.

[Jeb Haught]

10:39 AM on 03/13/2012

Then why visit, much less post on, this website?
Shouldn't you be cultivating hateful and discriminating ideologies on FauxNews.com?

[Veprk]

02:45 AM on 03/13/2012

Great advice Mr. Maddux. Simple, true, and effective. :)

[lr27048]

01:20 AM on 03/13/2012

Well said fymayawf. Study the contents and glass carefully.

Once a day look at the sky and horizon. Then close your eyes count to 5, open your eyes and ask yourself how lucky you are to be alive and able to do that. Never turn your back on negative. It's usually the worst case scenario and sometimes the voice of experience. Always study it and be aware enough to avoid it. Know enough to make the right moves. Always take advantage of positive. Dwell on positive things. Happy endings are the targets.

[fymayawf]

12:32 AM on 03/13/2012

It doesn't matter whether the glass is half full or half empty. What's important is what's in the glass and who's been drinking out of it?

[Dubagee]

12:18 AM on 03/13/2012

Always know that there is someone out there who has it far worse than you!

http://youtu.be/JHttdp6_JZM
http://youtu.be/_UHQQ2KX3Ys
http://gigieatscelebrities.com

[GOODDOC1]

03:29 AM on 03/13/2012

Just walk through a Physical Therapy unit, or the Burn Center. A pediatric Cancer Center will do it as well. And volunteering at one of these places might help YOU to become more optimistic in the long run!

[OliviaBolivia27]

06:57 PM on 03/15/2012

I never understood how knowing that people live unbelievably terrible lives is supposed to make me happier. That thought makes me feel terrible.

[GOODDOC1]

10:15 PM on 03/15/2012

YOU could be living that life, but you're not. You have it better than some.

[hb341]

11:56 PM on 03/12/2012

For the millionth time the glass is twice as large as necessary!
Just saying...