If you're feeling lost and down in life, it can be easy to turn to positive thinking as a solution. After all, the notion that simply changing your outlook on things can make all the difference is one that has been around for centuries.
But does positive thinking work? It's a surprisingly complex topic, because some people do benefit from using positive thinking as a coping mechanism while others may find themselves stuck in a continuous battle between hopeful thoughts and resetting their outlook back into a negative space.
What is positive thinking and how does it work?
Positive thinking is a powerful tool used to create an optimistic outlook on life and to influence our own thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It involves looking at the bright side of every situation, instead of remaining in a pessimistic state of mind.
Positive thinking can provide us with motivation when dealing with challenges or setbacks, allowing us to choose positive actions that can lead to positive outcomes. Engaging in positive thinking benefits our health and wellbeing; it has been shown to alleviate stress, improve mental alertness, enhance problem solving abilities, and increase creativity. Ultimately, it brings more happiness and joy into our lives, something we could all use right now!
Benefits of positive thinking
Positive thinking is a valuable tool for mental wellbeing that all individuals should take advantage of. Research has shown that positive thought patterns promote better decision making, increased sense of motivation and purpose, improved physical health, greater psychological resilience, and better stress management.
Positive thinking not only improves mood and outlook, but it also helps to bring clarity and understanding to moments of difficulty. Furthermore, it can help an individual build sustaining relationships with others due to the associated ability to foster trust and openness with others.
Finally, by naturally increasing confidence and self-esteem, positive thinking can even lead to more successful career outcomes in life. Therefore, taking the time to practice positive thinking can profoundly benefit all aspects of an individual's life in countless ways.
How to practice positive thinking
Practicing positive thinking can be a powerful way to improve your mental wellbeing. It involves training yourself to think positively and act optimistically, which can reduce stress, boost resilience and make life much more enjoyable. One way to do this is by focusing on the good things in your life.
Take some time each day to appreciate all of the successes, blessings and beautiful moments that come your way, no matter how small they may seem.
Additionally, instead of worrying about problems or letting them overwhelm you, practice using potential solutions to take action and address them; this mentality can help keep you motivated and hopeful. Finally, practice self-affirmation statements such as "I am capable" or "I will find an answer" out loud or internally; these types of mantra can be incredibly powerful tools for changing negative outlooks into more productive ones.
With commitment and persistence, it is possible to become adept at realistic positive thinking that can elevate your quality of life!
Staying positive during difficult times
Times of difficulty can bring a lot of stress and negative feelings, but it's important to stay positive during these periods. Ways to maintain a positive attitude include setting realistic goals, so that you don't put too much pressure on yourself. Take time away from work or a stressful environment to talk or have fun with family and friends.
Exercise is also an effective way for reducing stress and gaining perspective about difficult situations. Finally, make sure you're mindful of what your body needs; connect with nature and get plenty of rest. With the right strategy, tackling tough times becomes much easier when you keep your outlook positive.
Power of thoughts and emotions
Your thoughts and emotions are powerful forces that influence both your physical and mental health. Research has shown that when we focus on negative thoughts, we can create a continuous loop of worry and distress, activating our fight-or-flight response in the process.
On the other hand, positive thinking helps to bring balance and serenity into our lives, enabling us to be mindful of what is happening in the present instead of worrying about the future or ruminating on past events.
Additionally, studies have found that feelings of gratitude and appreciation can elicit positive neuronal patterns in the brain, increasing one’s sense of wellbeing because these patterns discharge hormones like serotonin and dopamine which transmit calming messages throughout our bodies. In essence, by making an effort to cultivate a mindset filled with compassion for ourselves and others, we can create better conditions for fighting off stressors or dealing with adversity.
Change your negative thoughts into positive ones
Changing your negative thoughts into positive ones can be tricky but it is an important step in creating a life that you feel happy and healthy in. The first step is to recognise when your mind is wandering off into a place of negativity.
Once you have become aware of these thought patterns, take some time to turn them around. Look for the silver lining in any situation and make sure that you reward yourself with positive reinforcement for these moments of positivity.
You can also practice gratitude by expressing what you are thankful for each day, this will help to interrupt any negative thinking and put your focus back on the good things in life!
