Positive Thinking: How To Do It?

Are you a glass half-empty or half-full sort of person? Studies have shown that both can impact your physical and mental health and that determines if you are a positive thinker or not. Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of focusing on the good side in any situation. This has a big impact on your physical and mental health.

A recent study shows that those who are found optimistic have a significantly lower risk of dying from several major causes of death, including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Respiratory diseases

Positive thinking is not a process but a state of mind. It is no magic and will not cascade your problems away. However, your hardships will seem more manageable and your approach towards solving them will be more positive and productive.

How To Think Positive

Positive thinking can be achieved through a few different techniques that have been proven effective. Positive self-talk has been regarded as one of the best ways. Here are some tips to get you started that can help you train your brain on how to think positively.

1) Focus on the good things

Challenges are a part of life. But just like every cloud has a silver lining, so do your hardships'. Enjoy the little things in life by making sure that you are being happy. Do not lend your ears and mouth to petty gossips and people who talk about the failures of other people. Focus on the good bright side of life and the same shall come to you in no time.

Also Read: Learn The Art of Positive Visualization For Sound Mind and Healthy Body

2) Practice gratitude

Whatever you achieve in life is not great until you appreciate the people, things or power that helped your way to it. Whoever and whatever brings comfort and satisfaction in your life try to express your gratitude at least once a day.

3) Keep a journal

Remember how our parents/grandparents used to ask us to write at least something good that happened that day in your diary. This was a practice you should have never left. Keeping a journal not only helps with your memory but also helps you in expressing your gratitude better. This is your personal space, write what you may and vent out.

4) Open up your humor

Laughter is the best medicine. Well, indeed. It lowers stress, anxiety, depression and also improves coping skills, mood, and self-esteem.

5) Spending time with positive people

Negativity and positivity have been shown to be contagious. So, it's time to reconsider the people with whom you’re spending your time. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up every wise and help you in seeing the bright side towards everything.

Also Read: Attract Positivity In Your Home With These Indoor Plants

6) Positive self-talk

We are often the hardest on ourselves. Implying everything on our tiny shoulders, we tend to overthink every little bad word about us. To stop this, make yourself your best friend. Research shows that talking to yourself can influence your ability to regulate your feelings, thoughts, and behavior under stress.

7) Start every day on a positive note

Its very important how you start your day. a lethargic morning will turn into a lethargic day in no time so, create a ritual in which you start off each day. Practice something uplifting and positive and make it a routine. It is very important to have a set routine and follow it every single day.

Positive thinking not only benefits mentally but also physically. A healthy body is a healthy mind and vice-versa.

Positive Thinking Health Benefits

Following are some physical and mental health benefits of having a positive outlook:

Physical benefits

• Lower chance of having a heart attack
• Better physical health
• Greater resistance to illness
• Lower blood pressure
• Better stress management
• Better pain tolerance

Mental benefits

• Greater creativity
• Better problem-solving skill
• Clearer thinking
• Better mood
• Better coping skills
• Less depression

When everything is going haywire around you, it can be difficult focusing on the positive side of life but there are always two sides of a coin. You will not be able to think positive immediately after reading this article but it will take you some good practice and time. Even if you can’t put all of these tips into practice right away, try one or two. Because even if the glass is not full it has the ability to get you to where you need to be.

Image credits- freepik

Written By- Tanya Srivastava, Sub Editor