Your Best Step Forward as Neither an Optimist nor a Pessimist

Psychologists suggest that true happiness lies somewhere between always seeing the sunny side of life to feeling things will inevitably end badly. While many of us believe being an eternal optimist is the best way to see things, research shows that being somewhere in the middle is actually the best path forward. Ronald Siegel, an assistant professor of psychology, part-time, at Harvard Medical School and medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Positive Psychology, explains, "Better than cultivating an artificial optimism is to see the situation and the world realistically."

Siegel says automatically assuming a positive or negative view of something limits our ability to build resiliency and to figure out solutions to our problems. He counsels to “have the faith in yourself that you'll be able to rise to the occasion and deal with whatever comes your way, whether it's good or bad fortune." Adopting a realistic view avoids deluding ourselves on the outcome and prepares us for a more realistic one.

To better deal with uncertainty, Siegel says to take stock of the present and be more mindful about what we have now. Also it is important to create a strong support system to help you deal with life’s ups and downs. Broaden your connection to life by strengthening your faith or worldview and always keep the big picture in mind to find purpose and meaning in life.

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Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/an-outlook-better-than-optimism

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