Is the glass half full or half empty? The answer will depend on how you choose to view your life. Our ability to think critically and to see and then solve problems is a trait that makes us highly productive. However, this critical perspective can often become a habit of focusing on only areas that are not "right". As a result, we can start to see only those things that need fixing and lose sight of all that is going well. Because your outlook will have the greatest impact on your health and daily well-being, it is important to maintain a balanced perspective on your day. By taking a few minutes each day to identify what went right and experience moments of gratitude, you will feel a greater sense of accomplishment and have a more positive outlook.
Research out of Miami recently demonstrated that in 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives compared to the group that journaled about things that irritated them or had no instruction. However, the group that expressed gratitude also had fewer visits to physicians.