Spring is a natural time of year to look forward. The warmer days bring increasing light, fresh new green and the returning vibrancy of flowers. A time of new life and growth surrounds us in nature bringing a promise of even better times to come. With this natural backdrop, even the most negative people can’t help but smile.

The spring season facilitates optimism and if you are a glass half empty kind of person, this may be the perfect time to re-train your brain to become an optimist. Optimism is good for you! There are scientific studies showing that optimists are healthier and live longer than pessimistic thinkers. Healthy behaviours such as eating a nutritional diet and keeping physically active are also linked to optimists’ longevity. Chronic stress is a major contributing factor of a pessimist’s outlook on life. It reduces the body’s capability to combat disease and infection, which can often result in long-term illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. A pessimist’s view of an uncertain future full of perceived threats and obstacles, creates the ideal habitat for the stress gremlins to thrive. Optimists on the other hand, have a more positive vision of the future, enabling them to more easily practice healthier lifestyles. They believe in better outcomes, work hard to achieve goals, and persevere when things go wrong. When facing stressful situations an optimist is likely to use coping strategies to deal with a problem, enlist the help of others for support, and find the silver lining that lessens any negative impact. Stress for the optimist is usually short-term without it getting the chance to escalate.

Optimism as a personality trait, is viewed by researchers as being determined by having stability and security in early childhood, and genetics also play a part. But what can you do if you are not prone to looking on the bright side? Is optimism a skill that can be learnt? How can you become an optimist? The first steps to achieving an optimist’s longevity, is of course by adopting healthier lifestyle choices. Becoming more active, eating healthier food, getting quality sleep and managing stress. Maintaining your wellbeing in this way can lift your mood and lead to a more positive mindset. Becoming an optimist, if it isn’t your natural default setting, will not happen overnight, but there are ways in which to re-train your thinking.

5 ways to become an optimist

1. Notice your negativity – Become aware and track your thoughts and assumptions. Writing down your negative feelings in relation to situations will help to clarify your reactions.

2. Swap a negative with a positive – When you have listed a down-side in the previous exercise, counteract this with thinking of an up-side, even if it feels false at first.

3. Search for positives – Get in the habit of listing at least one positive from your day. Repeat these to yourself until you begin to believe them.

4. Give positive feedback – Acknowledge the achievements of others and especially your own achievements.

5. Surround yourself with positive people – Those you spend time with have an impact on your behaviour. Positive people give you energy, encouragement, and confidence.

Positive thinking takes practice but the health and wellbeing benefits are worth the effort. The joy of spring is the perfect time to look on the bright side.