The Benefits of an Optimistic Outlook
Optimists are motivated to pursue goals because they can imagine alternative, better realities and believe these realities can be achieved.
Optimists earn more money (probably because they work longer hours) — and they also save more money too.
Optimists are not less likely to divorce, but they are more likely to remarry (which is, as the article says, “the triumph of hope over experience”).
Optimists are more likely to have less stress and better physical health. They are more likely to take vitamins, eat low-fat diets, and exercise and, as a result, typically live longer.
Optimists have a chance to live longer. In a study of cancer patients, pessimists were more likely to die within 8 months than their more optimistic counterparts.
Optimists expect positive things to happen — and, even when positive things don’t happen, optimists tend interpret misfortunes in a positive way.
Optimists value and affirm their decisions so their lives are not filled with second-guessing and constantly wondering, “What if….?”
