Are You an Optimist?

We are continuing to learn more about the connection between emotional and physical health. Studies show that positive emotions can help boost your immune system, improve your quality of life, and even help you live longer. Conversely, negative emotions can adversely affect your health, making you more prone to disease and infection. Having a positive, optimistic outlook will definitely improve your life. So how much of a positive thinker are you? Take this quiz to find out.

1) How do you view life?
	Life is mostly good, although bad things sometimes happen.
	Life is usually bad, but sometimes good things happen.
	Life is neither good nor bad, but an equal mix of both.
2) What are your thoughts before beginning work?
	I look forward to my work.
	I sometimes look forward to work.
	I never look forward to going to work.
3) When something good happens to you, how do you take it?
	It was a case of good luck.
	It was a result of hard work.
	I never even think about it
4) When something bad happens to you, how do you see it?
	It was a case of bad luck.
	It was a result of my own personal failings or shortcomings.
	I never think about it.
5) Upon beginning a new task, how successful do you think you’ll be?
	I see myself failing at the task.
	I see myself succeeding at the task, even if it takes a while.
	It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.
6) While learning a new and very difficult task, what is your usual reaction?
	I mostly give up in frustration after trying a few times, since it’s just too complicated to learn.
	Even though it’s hard, I usually persist and even ask for help when necessary, until I learn how to do the task.
	It’ll come to me, or it won’t.
7) After failing at a task, how do you usually react?
	I give up and brood over my failure, even letting it affect other areas of my life.
	I give up in frustration and avoid thinking about it any more.
	I pause for a moment but then try again to find another solution to the problem.
8) You have an important but very unpleasant task to complete, and it must be done by a specific date. What do you usually do?
	I put it off, procrastinating until the last minute but manage to get it done.
	Because it is so very difficult, I put it off and never end up completing it.
	I decide that it is better to get it done right away and find a way to get through it.
9) A close friend breaks off a get-together at the last minute, with a weak explanation. What are your thoughts?
	I assume it is my fault, that I’ve somehow offended my friend.
	I figure that my friend probably has a good reason for breaking off our plans.
	I resolve to break off the next meeting with my friend at the last minute, to get even.
10) When suffering a deep loss, what is your typical reaction?
	I ignore my negative feelings of sadness and make sure life continues normally.
	Devastated, I completely shut down and quit looking after myself.
	I take the time I need to completely mourn but eventually get back into the swing of things.