Research shows a positive mindset results in 23% greater energy in the midst of stress, 31% higher productivity, and a 40% higher likelihood to be promoted. "The greatest competitive advantage in the modern economy is a positive and engaged brain." says Sean Achor, author of Before Happiness and The Happiness Advantage.

In an article in Forbes magazine Shawn Achor said we should, "Create happiness hygiene." We eat, sleep and brush our teeth everyday, yet we neglect something crucial: priming our brain to positive. He recommends that we "create a two minute daily habit of thinking of 3 new things you are grateful for each day, journaling about a positive experience for two minutes, meditating by watching your breath go in and out, or writing a positive 2 minute email."

Forbes, Dan Schawbel, 9/10/2013

Optimism protects from cardiac deaths. In an eight year long study of 97,000 women, researchers measured women's optimism and found optimists had 30% fewer coronary deaths than pessimists. Optimism protected the health of these women resulting in fewer cardiac deaths while pessimism was damaging to their health.

Primary Reference:
H. Tindle, Y.F. Chang, L.Kuller, E. Manson, J.G Robinson, M.C. Rosal, G.J Siegle, and K.A. Matthews, "Optimism, Cynical Hostility, and Incident Coronary Disease and Mortality in the Women's Health Initiative, " Circulation 118 (2009): 1145-46.

Secondary Reference:
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Positive Physical Health: The Biology of Optimism. In Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and well-being - and how to achieve them (pg. 182-220). London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.