Benefits of an optimistic Mindset

What is Optimism

Optimism is one of the patterns of thinking which revolves around the positive mindset an individual acquires. Moreover, it comprises this believe which is instilled in the mind of an optimist, that we are all responsible for our own happiness. And both, good or bad events happen with a definite sound reason beneath. That’s what optimism is and a person with this sort of approach is called an optimist.

How to train our mind to develop this Approach:

So regarding to this aspect of our thinking pattern there is another concept which is pessimism, a total opposite of optimism and according to experts, whatever category a person falls into, has a lot to do with the way he or she is being brought up.  According to Karol Ward, LCSW, who’s a licensed psychotherapist, both these aspects are a personality trait and any of them which is instilled into the mind of that person depends upon the environment he lives in. So, yes, environment is one of the key components, which is the root cause behind anyone’s mindset either optimistic or pessimistic.

Elaborating further, the factor of environment Ward has talked about, then, an example of any household is being quoted by this therapist. Which is like, if a child is being brought in such a house where the family is expressive or emotionally supportive then he is likely to develop an optimistic mindset and even though if he falls into any mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression, then having such environment in household helps a lot to tackle that specific disorder. And apart from that factor, this is not necessary that having a supportive family always leads to an optimistic approach. But environment around individual is a very prominent component behind development of optimistic approach.

And some people are optimistic by nature, while others are pessimistic. Further studies show that at least 25% percent of optimistic approach is inheritable. Well, there are some ways to develop an optimistic approach and some of them are:

‘Try on’ a positive lens:

Shifting our own perspective has a lot to do with the inculcation of this mindset. This is not an overnight process though but making such efforts intentionally by keeping a keen check on our thoughts that whenever we feel like that we are drifting way too much towards negativity, then we ought to reassess our thinking and for that purpose we are supposed to be our own critique. This is one of the ways, which leads to the positive mindset. Obviously it’s not easier than being said. But by putting in effort in this regard, can help us to develop this specific approach towards life.

Your circle speaks volume about you:

The company a person keeps, definitely feeds his thinking and mindset. In order to attain optimistic approach, it is highly dependent on the kind of people you are surrounded with. Because, sharing our thoughts and ideas through discussion or conversations we have with in our circle, deeply influences our mindset. So, in order to build a strong and healthy thinking pattern with an optimistic approach at the center, we ought to keep a keen check on the kind of people we are surrounded with.

Avoid listening to unnecessary and unauthentic news:

The current situation specifically about ongoing pandemic is deeply influential on our mental state. And the way it’s spreading, making it quite obvious that to stay optimistic. Pandemic is something which is not in our control and it’s obviously worse and bothersome. But to stay emotionally stable and composed we should avoid unnecessary and unauthentic news as well. And in a general context, same approach needs to be implemented in an attainment of optimistic mindset, where we should filter our thoughts and should only let certain things to stay in the horizon of our mind.

So one of the components is social media and news. Never pay much attention on everything and news which is being spread around you.

Develop habit of reading and writing:

Keep yourself busy in reading. And this habit refines the way a person thinks. It diverts the attention span towards something which is productive and beneficial. Apart from that, looking for any part time work opportunity of writing for any journal or company can also help you a lot. It can be a kind of therapy for your mindset and thinking.

Acknowledge what you can and can’t control:

This specific thought can help you a lot to go through so many things in your life. And can ultimately bring you calm and soothing feeling. Because, fate throws at us so much, on which we have got no control over. You can’t change it, but you can change your perspective and behavior towards dealing that specific issue. You need to understand that what is and what isn’t in your control. This behavior can make a lot of difference in a way you think and feel. Moreover, it can help you establish strong emotional well-being and can help you to attain optimistic approach towards life.

Keep acknowledging the negative:

This is one of the very important aspects in understanding of learning to be an optimist. Being positive minded is very healthy and that’s what optimism is all about, but, it definitely doesn’t mean that a person stops embracing the negativity and negative dimension of any situation. Actually optimism is all about embracing the situation at first and then optimism is one of the coping mechanisms to it.

Therefore, in a conclusion to this brief analysis on optimism, it is not associated with creating positive out of negative, instead it is about creating a coping mechanism through optimism. If something is worse so that’s how it is, which we can’t control. But we can control our reaction and way of responding towards it. Which is actually very important. It’s okay to feel sad and blue but it’s not okay to let it consume you. So for that purpose optimism can be your only refuge and it’s not a state, it’s a mindset. So be optimistic!

by:  Araba Muzaffar 

Tags: Benefits of an optimistic Mindset

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