Hope keeps us going through tough times. But we’ve all had times when we’ve felt utterly hopeless. It’s so hard to push through when you don’t have any hope that things will get better.Maybe you have a health issue that causes you to feel utterly hopeless about the future. You might be convinced that no matter what you do or what medication you try, you’re never going to feel better.Or, you might feel hopeless about your financial situation. Looking at your mounting debt may cause you to think that there’s no way you’re ever going to dig yourself out.Mental health issues can also cause hopelessness. One of the main symptoms of depression involves a lack of hope. And not having any hope can worsen your mental health. It’s a two-way street.Here's my favorite science-backed strategy for cultivating hope. It only takes a few minutes but doing it can help you feel happier and more hopeful about the future.