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

Use these tips to help you notice the joy in life:

• Extract humor. Find amusement in seemingly bad situations. Retelling the tale of a bitter time with a lighthearted twist can help you gain 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. Your misfortunes can be growth opportunities and lead to inspiration and change. Giving to charities in honor of a sick or lost loved one can help you carve a gift out of grief. Even on a smaller scale, a blown-out tire, a lost job, or relationship problems are all genuine concerns. But assigning them meaning can positively affect your day, health, and life.