WB.6: Deep Dive – Positive Affect Brightens Your Days, While Optimism Lights Up Your Path Forward

Approximate reading time: 2 minutes

Positive affect is about feeling good in the moment, like when you’re doing something you love, laughing with friends, or enjoying a great meal. These moments of joy add up, making our daily lives brighter. Studies have found that feeling these positive emotions regularly can lead to better health, stronger relationships, and even a longer life (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988; Steptoe, O’Donnell, Marmot, & Wardle, 2008). For example, people who often feel positive are likely to have a stronger immune system and better heart health (Pressman & Cohen, 2005).

Optimism, however, is more about how you see the future. It means expecting good things to happen. This outlook can make a big difference in how you handle challenges, like believing you’ll ace a test or have a successful job interview. Being optimistic isn’t just about hoping for the best; it’s been shown to help people manage stress better, lower the risk of getting sick, and recover from illnesses faster (Chang, 2001; Peterson & Steen, 2002; Rasmussen & Wallio, 2008; Rasmussen, Scheier, & Greenhouse, 2009). Optimists use their positive view of the future to get through tough times more effectively.

While positive affect and optimism both play a role in making us happier, they do so in different ways. Positive affect makes our everyday experiences more enjoyable, immediately lifting our spirits. Optimism gives us a hopeful perspective that helps with our long-term emotional and physical well-being. Together, they help us build a life that’s not only happy in the present but also hopeful for the future.