Look on the Bright Side
Comments from Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling聽Robert Alexander, Ph.D., are featured in a article about how to build optimism in life. Research shows that frequently looking at the bright side of a situation is linked to living longer, better cardiovascular health, lower stress levels, decreased pain, and better sleep, among other benefits. For those looking to find ways to brighten their day, Alexander suggests envisioning what you want in life鈥攚ithin reason.
鈥淲rite about the best future you can reasonably imagine. Not a fantasy in which everything magically works out, but something possible,鈥� he says. 鈥淧icture a future that could result from steady effort, good decisions, and support from other people. Studies of this 鈥榖est possible self鈥� exercise have found small but meaningful increased in optimism.鈥�