Why realism is the key to wellbeing – new research

Life coaches and motivational speakers often treat positive thinking as the key to happiness. Perhaps this is why unrealistic optimism – the tendency to overestimate the likelihood that good things will happen and underestimate the likelihood that bad things will happen – is one of the most pervasive human traits. Studies consistently show that a large majority of the population (about 80% according to most estimates) display an overly optimistic outlook.