Have you ever ditched the idea of trying out for the school play because you were sure you weren't good enough? Do you have to stifle the urge to strangle the captain of the cheerleaders because you feel dumpy and ugly whenever she's near? Ever get the feeling that you were just born cranky? Those feelings are called pessimism, and they can weaken the power of positive thinking.

The opposite of pessimism is optimism. Research shows the power of positive thinking: the more optimistic we are, the happier our lives will be.

Those who have a sunnier outlook about the future have better mental health than those who are pessimistic. Optimists show less stress and depression, have deep friendships, and demonstrate superior coping skills. It's not that they have more friends, but their relationships are close and strong. They see a bad situation as a challenge, not a setback. They benefit from the power of positive thinking.

But how do you tap into the power of positive thinking? First, you have to be more true to yourself. We've compiled a few suggestions you can try to brighten your outlook when pessimism stops by for a visit.