Optimism is a positive mental outlook characterized by hope and confidence in a favorable future. It involves an innate hopefulness and the belief that good things will happen and goals will be achieved. Originating from the Latin “optimum,” meaning “best,” optimism is linked to predicting positive outcomes through chance or effort.
Studies suggest optimism comprises two main aspects: the inclination to hope and the belief that we live in the best possible world. Research indicates that about 25% of optimism is heritable. Optimists expect good outcomes even in stressful situations, seeing challenges as opportunities to learn, and tend to have better coping skills, health, lower stress, and more achievements compared to pessimists.
