Optimism has been shown to be an important part of good health and wellness. Without such sparks of inspiration or encouragement we can tend to forget that life can be more than just the daily grind of work and responsibility.

While there are plenty of reasons given for the growing pessimism, there's an important case to be made for shifting one's focus and fostering an optimistic worldview.

We often hear that so-called "resilient" people are more likely to come through a crisis less psychologically damaged. But what, exactly, is resilience, and how might it apply to a crisis, such as being diagnosed with a terminal illness?

Optimism doesn't just boost your mood. According to new research, a glass-half-full attitude also strengthens the immune system. ...