The benefits of maintaining an optimistic outlook are substantial and well documented. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst. It just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. I’m certainly not referring to some unrealistic perception of circumstances as good when they are not, or a mindset that buries any negative feelings to maintain an exclusively positive attitude – what is known as toxic positivity.Īccording to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Whenever optimism is mentioned as an influencer of behavior, it is important to define the term.
Not to mention, setting us on a course for permanent improvements in our heath behaviors. Optimism may be scarce in the context of virtual learning, restaurant closures and a general disruption of life, but the power of positivity may be just what we need to weather the lingering COVID storm, and maintain our health and well-being.
#LEADING CONTRIBUTER TO UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM FULL#
The caveat, of course, is that the prospect of a full return to normal is still months away.įor now, there is the real threat that traditional holiday spirit built around family, celebrations and the anticipation of a new year could easily be replaced by pessimism, loneliness or even depression.
Distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with Moderna's right behind it, is providing Americans with hope that the nightmare of the coronavirus pandemic finally may be concluding.