We know that life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like things just aren’t going our way. That’s where optimism comes in, giving us the ability to see a brighter future. But it’s not just about having a positive mindset—it’s about staying motivated to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.As always, we’ve put together an activity sheet filled with exercises to help you apply the strategies we’ll discuss today. Don’t worry, we won’t go over all the exercises here—you’ll get those on the sheet—but we’ll give you a sense of what’s to come. Let’s dive in!What is Optimism? Optimism is often misunderstood as being overly positive or naïve, but in reality, it’s much deeper than that. Optimism is the mindset that allows you to view challenges as temporary and surmountable. It’s the belief that, even though things may be difficult right now, they will improve, and you have the power to influence the outcome.Michelle and I often talk about how optimism impacts not only our mental health but also our physical well-being. Research shows that people with an optimistic outlook tend to have better health outcomes, live longer, and generally enjoy a higher quality of life.Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring the tough stuff—it’s about recognizing the difficulties but believing that you can get through them. On our activity sheet, you’ll find a great exercise to help you practice this skill by identifying areas in your life where you can reframe negative thinking into more optimistic perspectives. Trust me, this is a game-changer.Read more AND get the activity sheet in the show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/optimism-motivation-positive-psychology-part-7.
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**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and resources.
General Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.
