The Power of a Positive Attitude
The Mayo Clinic recently reported on several of the benefits of a positive attitude. According to their findings, optimistic people enjoy the following advantages:
• Lower levels of distress and depression
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Longer life spans
• Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Better methods of stress relief
• Greater physical and psychological health
While the researchers remain unsure as to why having a positive outlook on life conveys such advantages, they prove that optimists are more likely to make healthier choices. Positive people may also decrease the effect of stress hormones on their bodies simply by dealing with stress better. When looking at life in a positive way, you can be happy about your experience in life because that’s what allows you to recognize a mistake when you’ve made it again. That can be your first step to making a positive change, by seeing the mistake repeated and embracing it with a positive attitude, instead of beating yourself up over it.
Reshape Your Perspective with Positive Words
If you are not a naturally positive person, it may seem like you are stuck with the way you view the world. The truth is that you can change. No one is suggesting that you spend your day falsely projecting a happy visage–that can actually be more stressful than being yourself. You can, however, learn to use positive words and implement positive thinking in order to affect a change in your moods.
Incorporate some of the following ideas throughout your day in order to change your outlook.
• Perform an attitude check periodically. Are your thoughts mostly positive or negative? If they are negative, make a conscious effort to change their flow.
• Find opportunities to laugh. Laughter is therapeutic on many fronts. Make time for humor in your day, whether with a daily joke, an entertaining program or just by searching for the funny aspect of a particular event.
• Use positive words. If you wouldn’t say something to someone else because it is hurtful or mean, don’t say it to yourself. This basic rule is an excellent way to start positive self-talk. Be kind to yourself and gentle with your speech.
• Cultivate positive friendships. By surrounding yourself with positive people, you can improve your ability to be positive as well. Negative people will drag you down, so eliminate them from your life wherever possible.
• Smile at people. Smiling is a very simple act you can perform each time you meet someone. Not only will it put you in a better frame of mind, those you greet will be more receptive as well.
Positive Thinking Takes Practice
Just like any other skill, learning positive thinking takes practice. If you are unaccustomed to encouraging yourself and speaking positively, you will need to practice your new mindset; the more you practice it, the more natural it will become.
Other things you can do to improve your positive attitude include eating well and getting regular exercise and sleep. It is more challenging to maintain a positive outlook when you are tired or your body lacks essential nutrients. You will also enjoy better health if you treat your body well, so the benefits multiply with little effort on your part.
Remember that you are bound to have some setbacks where you fall back into your old patterns, but persist. The rewards of a positive attitude are immeasurable, so stick with it!
