Researchers have looked at the level of expectations and compared that with an observed range of expectations. Studies have shown that having realistic beliefs can mean better well-being. Rather, you focus on your present moment and how it helps you right now. The point is to not focus on what could be or what isn’t. How your body feels during a long walk .How conversations with loved ones make you feel.You might start paying more attention to things like: When you think realistically, you’re tuned into what’s going on around you. Embrace the PresentĪnother important part of realistic thinking is setting your mind to the present.
When you focus on realistic thinking, you’re prioritizing reality, which can help you understand situations you’re in instead of being greatly disappointed or fooling yourself. If you think this way, you’re more likely to be cautiously hopeful for good outcomes, but this hope doesn’t keep you from taking the necessary steps to achieve your goals. Realistic optimists also have a specific way of looking at the world. Optimistic and pessimistic thinking are at the ends of a spectrum.
These ways of thinking don’t account for reality. You’re either thinking about the worst thing that could happen or the best possible outcome. Don’t Ignore Realityīoth pessimistic and optimistic thinking puts your mind in a fantasy world. īelow you’ll find evidence for why realistic thinking is better than optimistic thinking. There’s actually another option that’s all-around better for your health, and that’s realistic thinking. Pessimists can tend to have more depressed or anxious feelings. Optimists may get easily disappointed if they’re always assuming good things will happen. However, optimism and pessimism both have risks. Many think that having an optimistic outlook is the secret to happiness.