I was recently on a cross-country trip with my wife and daughter and had the opportunity to stop at several art galleries along the way. As I was looking at one of the pieces, I wondered, with all of the issues going on in the world if any of it — the art, my articles, work — any of it mattered. The answer that I came up with while I drove hundreds of miles through flat, colorless prairie was yes, it does matter. In fact, it matters more because of the war in Ukraine, the global pandemic, and disasters associated with climate change. People need hope, and it is important to keep in mind that if we don’t keep putting good things into the world, eventually negativity and darkness will win out.

In researching my weekly article, I came across another article by Jenny Splitter titled 8 Ways to Be More Optimistic written for the online wellness newsletter Everyday Health. Splitter begins her article with doom and gloom. “In the United States, COVID-19 case rates are once again surging, and the country seems hopelessly divided in a culture war over mask-wearing and vaccines. Climate crisis alarms are ringing nonstop with reports of famine, floods, and forest fires. International humanitarian crises and political conflicts roar on.” I almost stopped reading but remembered the title. She then goes on to mention that research has linked optimism to numerous positive health outcomes such as a lower risk of mood disorders and mental illness, improved physical health, and improved problem-solving skills.

Optimism isn’t about ignoring the negative or viewing life through rose-colored glasses. According to Eranda Jayawickreme, Ph.D., a researcher of positive change and associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, it is important to acknowledge all aspects of reality, the good and the bad, then make an assessment and say, “This is where I am.” We then need to understand that good things will come.

In her article, Splitter says to be optimistic is to start small. Begin each day by asking what is going well. It could be something as simple as the smell of coffee brewing or a pretty sunrise. This gratitude primes our brains to be receptive to other good things and allows us to appreciate things that bring us joy.

Another thing Splitter recommends is understanding what is and what is not within your control. This acknowledgment is an important step in having a positive outlook.

There are two main types of control — primary and secondary.

Primary control refers to things that you can change in the world around you.

Secondary control refers to internal changes you can make and how you perceive your circumstances and environment.

When you are able to make changes either externally or internally, this feeling of control leads to improved feelings of optimism. Letting go of things we cannot control keeps us from being unnecessarily weighed down.

It’s easy to get bogged down on the negative and focus on things that you don’t like about the world or your personal circumstances. Instead, focus on things you do like or what you want. The more often you turn your attention to things that are positive and the positive changes you are able to make, the easier being optimistic will be become. After a while, being optimistic will become second nature. As problems pop up, as they eventually will, you will tend to see them as opportunities, and solutions will become more readily apparent.

For more information on wellness, personal training, or health coaching, please contact me through my website bellomofitness.com or find me on Facebook.