Practical optimism can be learned. A psychiatrist explains how and why your well-being depends on it

Dr. Varna spent the past 20 years studying how we can all benefit from the wellspring of optimism and reap its benefits, even if you are the glass-half-empty-type.

Dr. Sue Varma is a board-certified psychiatrist and an award-winning national medical contributor for major news outlets. She is a clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health and teaches medical students and residents. Dr. Varma was the first medical director treating first responders and civilians for PTSD, depression, and anxiety at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program (WTC MHP) at NYU Langone/Bellevue.