The good news? Optimism can be learned, developed and increased at any age!
Reporting in 2019 on the link between longevity and optimism, Professor Lewina Lee said “We know that optimism is about 25% heritable, which means that there is room to modify it.”
For parents and parenting, the writer Meghan Moravcik Walbert put it well, “A person may be naturally inclined to be either pessimistic or optimistic, but there are things parents can do to encourage and strengthen the optimism muscles in their kids (and themselves).”
Exercises and practices which increase and maintain optimism include expressing gratitude, using more positive language and focusing on sharing happiness. Accepting uncertainty is a useful way of diminishing anxiety and becoming more optimistic.
Practising meditation, yoga, exercise and spending time in beautiful places also enhance a feeling of optimism.
Choose your company wisely: Surround yourself with positive people.
Turn down the news! Listen or watch it no more than once a day.
A very useful exercise is a writing exercise called "Your Best Possible Self".
The science of neuroplasticity shows that our brains constantly make new connections and we strengthen positive neural networks by looking for the positives in life and by deliberately cultivating optimistic thoughts and words.