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Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.
Friday Fix: Episode 107
There are many undisputed benefits of being a positive, optimistic person. And if you aren’t naturally a positive person, you can learn to become one.
Part of being a positive person might involve looking for the silver lining even in hardship. Perhaps you can even recognize times in your life when you were able to see how something good came out of something really bad.
Like maybe a breakup allowed you to meet someone better. Or perhaps a job loss helped you discover an inner strength that you never even knew existed.
You’ve likely also encountered people who encourage you to look on the bright side. For example, maybe your mom reminds you that “Something better will come along” when you don’t get hired. Or maybe your friend says, “Well, at least he’s in a better place,” when your dog dies.
I reveal what the research says about looking on the bright side and how doing so might affect your mental health and your physical health.
Should you listen to these attempts to remind you about the silver lining? Should you go looking for a silver lining when the benefits aren’t obvious? These are some of the questions I address on today’s Friday Fix.
More About the Podcast
The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.
Links and Resources
- Follow Amy Morin on Instagram.
- Check out Amy’s books on mental strength.
- Watch Amy’s TEDx Talk The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong
- 5 Steps to Being More of an Optimist
- Stop the Toxic Positivity with Bestselling Author Nora McInerny
