How Optimism Helps You Achieve Goals With Less Stress

A new study finds that optimistic students are more likely to study and more likely to succeed

A new study has provided evidence that cultivating optimism might be worthwhile. Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

When you hear the word optimism, what comes to mind? Does it resonate as a tried-and-true life practice? Or perhaps it sounds too Pollyanna-ish for your taste.

Essentially, optimism is hopefulness about the future—a general belief that things will work out in your favor. Whether you are a devoted practitioner or devout skeptic, you’ve likely asked yourself at least once, “Does optimism produce actual life benefits or is it just feel-good fluff?”