The Verywell Mind Podcast Is Looking on the Bright Side Actually Good for Your Mental Health? By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Published on September 24, 2021 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 107 More About the Podcast Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Friday Fix: Episode 107 There are many undisputed benefits of being a positive, optimistic person. And if you aren’t naturally a positive person, you can learn to become one. Part of being a positive person might involve looking for the silver lining even in hardship. Perhaps you can even recognize times in your life when you were able to see how something good came out of something really bad. Like maybe a breakup allowed you to meet someone better. Or perhaps a job loss helped you discover an inner strength that you never even knew existed. You’ve likely also encountered people who encourage you to look on the bright side. For example, maybe your mom reminds you that “Something better will come along” when you don’t get hired. Or maybe your friend says, “Well, at least he’s in a better place,” when your dog dies. Should you listen to these attempts to remind you about the silver lining? Should you go looking for a silver lining when the benefits aren’t obvious? These are some of the questions I address on today’s Friday Fix. I reveal what the research says about looking on the bright side and how doing so might affect your mental health and your physical health. More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Links and Resources Follow Amy Morin on Instagram. Check out Amy’s books on mental strength. Watch Amy’s TEDx Talk The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong 5 Steps to Being More of an Optimist Stop the Toxic Positivity with Bestselling Author Nora McInerny By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.