“Reach for the stars” is the sort of uplifting advice parents impart on their children, coaches pass along to their players, and people all over the place repeat to themselves. And for good reason: A life outlook that, generally speaking, assumes the best, has many tangible benefits. Positive thinking has been linked to better relationships, increased happiness, and health.
But optimism has its limits. In fact, it can be a pretty wasteful way to approach life. Read more about Eccles researcher Liz Tenney’s research in the Washington Post.