---
title: How to Be Realistically Optimistic
description: recognize negative thoughts that may be making cancer treatment more difficult and try to dismantle those to be more “realistically optimistic”
image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Lighthouse%20on%20the%20beach%20at%20dawn.jpg
---

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# How to Be Realistically Optimistic

<https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/cancer1>

In an interesting article, "[How to Be Realistically Optimistic: Coping With Mental Health Long-Term While Battling Cancer"](https://www.survivornet.com/articles/how-to-be-realistically-optimistic-coping-with-mental-health-long-term-while-battling-cancer/), Samantha Boardman encourages people who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing to take stock of their belief system and ask themselves two questions

- Could these beliefs be harming me (like feelings of self-doubt or negativity)?
- Is my mindset holding me back from positive steps forward?

Dr Boardman suggests working to recognize any negative thoughts that may be making the process of cancer treatment more difficult, and trying to dismantle those to be more “realistically optimistic.”

 

[Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton)

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