When Life Throws You Lemons…

Studies show an optimistic spirit can aid recovery from illness or injury, and even lower your chance of developing dementia and cardiovascular disease.

Use these tips to help you find the granules of sweetness sprinkled throughout a seemingly sour situation:

Extract humor. Often impossible in the moment, hindsight can help you tap bits of amusement from bad days. Retelling the tale of a bitter time with a lighthearted twist can draw perspective. And humor can relieve tension in even the gravest of circumstances. Many comedians credit some of their most tragic experiences in helping them develop an art for laughter.

Find purpose. Suffering doesn’t have to be in vain. It can lead to inspirational tendencies. From founding charities in honor of a sick or lost loved one to sharpening a sense if another is taken, people have long carved gifts out of grief. Even on a smaller scale, your misfortunes can be growth opportunities. A blown-out tire, a lost job, or relationship problem are all genuine sufferings that bite into your world. But assigning them meaning can positively affect your day, health… and life.