You can reset your mindset to think more optimistically. Scientists have found that negative or positive mindset is only about 25% inheritable. The rest is dependent on the environment. But growing up in difficult circumstances doesn’t condemn you to be a lifelong pessimist. You can choose to develop optimism, and there are some good reasons to do just that.

Research shows that being optimistic pays off in better health, greater resilience to stress, more career success, and even longer life. And it’s not that hard to start building your optimism muscles right now.