Between the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with optimism? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant, how can we practice optimism on a daily basis to develop this emotional muscle? To explore this topic, we spoke with Sue Varma, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of the new book Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, about the importance of cultivating everyday mental wellness and developing emotional resilience to help us navigate inevitable moments of crisis and triumph. This discussion of practical optimism is a powerful reminder that the glass is neither half full nor half empty - the glass is simply refillable.

<p>Between the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overview&source=gmail&ust=1701872111202000&usg=AOvVaw2lvnqQscrduqnQaUeZpUNu">optimism</a>? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant, how can we practice optimism on a daily basis to develop this emotional muscle? To explore this topic, we spoke with <a href="https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/&source=gmail&ust=1701872111202000&usg=AOvVaw34gd2sbkkRiRlPxri1HgKF">Sue Varma, MD</a>, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of the new book <a href="https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/&source=gmail&ust=1701872111202000&usg=AOvVaw3vKYqTFoX-jWwRkNcE9BCr"><em>Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being</em></a>, about the importance of cultivating everyday <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-to-know-about-mindfulness-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-to-know-about-mindfulness-and-mental-health&source=gmail&ust=1701872111202000&usg=AOvVaw2KRnFlyjtOz6ZnZ0vju3fL">mental wellness</a> and developing <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-to-know-about-emotional-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-to-know-about-emotional-health&source=gmail&ust=1701872111202000&usg=AOvVaw09GNt01H02iJEl39ZV5Tov">emotional resilience</a> to help us navigate inevitable moments of crisis and triumph. This discussion of practical optimism is a powerful reminder that the glass is neither half full nor half empty - the glass is simply refillable.</p>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

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Between the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with ? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant,...

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