Optimism vs pessimism: which is better?
The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true.” – James Branch Cabell
Have you ever been told, “You’re such a Pollyanna?” Or perhaps you’re more likely to hear, “Stop being such a Negative Nelly.” No doubt, you believe you’re simply being real. But how can two people in the same situation have such polar opposite perceptions? And which one is right? Regardless of right or wrong, which is better—optimism or pessimism?
I went in search of the answer and found good news for the Pollyanna and the Negative Nelly. Turns out there are advantages to both points of view. (That sounds a little Pollyanna-ish of me, doesn’t it?)
In this corner: the Optimists
- Optimists are twice as likely to have good heart health as compared to pessimists. Evidently, optimists are more prone than pessimists to eat healthy, exercise, and not smoke. This leads to healthier blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
- Optimists feel better about life and expect things to work out to their advantage, so they dream bigger and work persistently towards those dreams.
In this corner: the Pessimists
- Pessimists may actually be better equipped for dealing with stress and therefore perform better. Setting low expectations reduces the pressure to be perfect and encourages pessimists to think through all of the possible pitfalls and thus be better prepared for setbacks than optimists.
- Pessimists respond better to negative feedback. They want to hear what the problems were, so they can fix them.
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane; the pessimist, the parachute.” — George Bernard Shaw
So perhaps the real lesson here is to stop trying to be something you are not; instead make the most of your natural tendencies. Optimism and pessimism are both effective strategies for coping with an unpredictable world. One study in particular showed that participants performed best when they used their preferred strategy. In other words, people with optimistic tendencies were more engaged and persistent when they were thinking positive thoughts. Those people who were more naturally pessimistic performed better when thinking negative thoughts.
I guess it takes all kinds. Working together, we can hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Sources:
- https://psychcentral.com/blog/pessimism-vs-optimism/
- https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/health-benefits-being-optimist-vs-pessimist
Your turn
- Are you more of a pessimist or an optimist?
- Has it served you well?
Follow my blog with Bloglovin.
This post linked on the Grand Social.
Well, I’m an optimist, married to a pessimist, so I think we have all the bases covered.
Perfect, Shelley. ?
I think I’m in the same boat with Shelley! Enjoyed this article and the quotes you shared made me giggle.
They’re funny because they’re true, right?
I am fairly evenly balanced by the two. I have a tendency to just take what happens and go with it. This has served me well.
Good for you. That’s the state I’m trying to reach myself: flow. I’m working on being less attached to outcomes and more present in the moment.
I am usually an optimist, but thank heaven for those parachutes!
🙂 gwingal
Agreed! Have a lovely day! (Hopefully, you aren’t needing a parachute.)
I was a pessimist for years. A glass-half-empty cynic who considered all of the possible (negative) scenarios when planning anything. Now, I am more of an optimist, and I like it better! Even long term friends have noticed my shift – one even had the courage to tell me they noticed and like it. I still do the scenario planning bit, but I’m much less spiraling into negativity. And I have less patience for the pessimists.
I too chuckled at your quotes.
I think that’s the ideal Pat. If we can expect good things, but plan for the possible pitfalls or detours and accept them when they arise, not waste energy wishing all had gone exactly as we expected.
I love that aeroplane/parachute quote! I’m am optimist through & through.
This reminded me of my mom telling me her Grandma Nokes used to say, “hope for the best, but expect the worst, and you’ll never be disappointed”.
I love that and can hear Grandma Nokes saying it. XO
I’m an optimist with a very analytical mind. I guess that makes me more of a positive thinking realist 🙂 Love your quotes, especially the one about the planes and parachutes.
I like that–positive thinking realist. Have a lovely day, Janis!
I’m an optimist and am married to an optimist. I loved being around positive, open-minded people. Not fake or sugar-coating people….but people who try to see the good in all!
What a lovely combination, Donna. I believe it is possible to focus on the positive while not ignoring what needs to be fixed and staying alert to dangers. Carry on–looking at the bright side!
Hi Christie
I’m an optimist married to a realist. This works for us because when I come up with some overly lofty idea, he brings me back to earth.
I love the quote by George Bernard Shaw
Laura
When it comes to making big plans, I think I’m the realist in my marriage, but sometimes I worry I’m actually being pessimistic. In general, I am optimistic. Perhaps I need a new category–undecided or inconsistent. 🙂
Optimist is the way I try to live…There is too much negativity out there anyways which I why I stopped watching the news and reading the paper! Even when I have failed to accomplish things, I knew I was learning in the process and that things would come around for the better. Having negative people and pessimists in your life during these time of failure can unfortunately break people
Thank you for that input, Dave. I love that you mentioned that even when you don’t accomplish what you expected to, you learned something. That’s a growth mindset in action. Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation.
I do like the George B Shaw quote. A fun post to make us think. I am a logical thinker, mostly positive and realist.
I do love to be around positive enthusiastic people. they make me feel more energetic.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
I like to think of myself as optimistic, but cautious. And I agree with you, I prefer the energy of positive people. Thanks Kathleen.
Oh gosh, I’m a bit of both. Like looking at the glass, I can’t decide if it’s half empty or half full 🙂 Shared onto Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw ♥
I’d guess it’s really a sliding scale for most of us–we’re not entirely one or the other and don’t stay in the same spot over time. Thanks for sharing Dee!
For me, I think it depends on my mood that day. I like the comment about how both contribute to society. If we were all Pollyanna’s nothing would change or get fixed!
While we may have a tendency for optimism or pessimism, my guess is none of us is entirely one or the other. It can depend on the circumstances or, as you say, the mood of the day. Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts Amy.
Hi Christie,
I’m clearly an optimist, as evidenced by the fact that I held on to this post in my inbox and just knew I’d eventually have an opportunity to respond 🙂
Love your quotes. Here’s another great one. “There is no one more hopeful than a cynic (we could say pessimist) waiting to be proven wrong.”
I love that quote Karen! I’m sure I’ll be smiling the rest of the evening thinking of it.
Sometimes I think optimists have it the easiest, but they can also set themselves up for disappointment. I think I’m somwhere in between the two – but I’d like to lean towards the Pollyanna side if I can.
You’ve got a good point Leanne. I guess that’s when it’s helpful to be able to see the good in any situation and accept that things aren’t always going to turn out like we expect them to–and that’s okay.
I tend to be optimistic and my husband is more of a pessimist. Sometimes that drives me nuts, but other times I realize that he keeps me more grounded. So, I agree there is good and bad in both. I have to say that I’m glad I’m the optimist though! Thank you for hosting and sharing with us on the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty! Pinned and shared!
Yes, a mixture of both seems to balance things out, but optimism is more fun, if you ask me. Thanks for sharing!