How Positive Thinking Can Improve Your Life
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Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of thinker? The answer you choose can make a difference in the quality and length of your life.
Seeing the glass as half-full means you tend to have a more positive outlook, and positive thinking can enable you to live a better life than average. That’s because a sunny outlook can improve your life in many small ways.
For example, being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and knowing that a difficult period will eventually end can help get you through a rough day, week or year.
Here are some other ways positive thinking can improve your life.
1. It Can Lower Stress
When you’re in a stressful situation, your gut reaction can be one of either optimism or pessimism. By definition, if you’re optimistic, you have hope and confidence about the successful outcome of the situation, whereas if you’re pessimistic, you have a tendency to believe that the worst will happen.
That negative thinking and lack of hope can lead to unnecessary stress. Switching your attitude and eliminating negative thoughts can keep stress at bay.
“If there is no solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. If there is a solution to the problem, then don’t waste time worrying about it.” – Dalai Lama
2. It Can Decrease Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Similarly, positive thinking can lower signs of anxiety and depression. When you feel anxious, you feel worried, nervous, or uneasy and when you feel depressed, you have feelings of dejection, sadness, or despondency.
Turning off the negative thoughts going through your head and replacing them with positive talk can leave you feeling safe and less worried.
“Don’t worry, be happy.” – Bobby McFerrin
3. It Can Improve Your Immune System
Thinking positively not only offers you a mental boost it also gives you physical benefits as well. Researchers have shown that happiness can boost your immune system.
If you’re in a stressful situation, thinking optimistically can boost the cell-mediated immune response in your body, whereas thinking pessimistically can weaken your immune system.
“The most powerful force to maintaining a good immune system is the power of positive thinking and not allowing yourself to be unnecessarily drained emotionally by worries and fears.” – Frederick Lenz
4. It Can Prolong Your Life
Negative emotions are natural, but if prolonged, your risk for developing disease can increase.
Looking at the effects of negative thoughts on your immune system again, you can see that a weakened immune system can raise your susceptibility to contracting an infection which can lead to illness.
Also, a study in the Women’s Health Initiative showed a link between optimism and health. Optimistic people tend to engage in positive health behaviors such as staying active, avoiding smoking and following their medical advice. Living this way can lead to a lower mortality rate.
“I have decided to be happy because it’s good for my health.” – Voltaire
5. It Can Attract Other Positive Thinkers
No one wants to be around a Debbie Downer for too long. If you’re typically a happy and optimistic person, others with a similar disposition can find that attractive.
And keeping Negative Nellies out of your life can help prevent others from bringing you down.
“Like a magnet, we draw in what we constantly think about. If you’re always thinking positive, happy, joyful thoughts, you’re going to be a positive, happy, joyful person, and you will attract other happy, upbeat, positive people.” – Unknown
Final Positive Thoughts
Now that you know some of the ways positive thinking can improve your life, do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty? Let me know in the comments.
To help you improve your positive thinking vibes, click here for 3 Free Positive Thinking Worksheets!
Loving Life–The Reboot!
Dominique
References:
2. https://www.livescience.com/8158-optimism-boosts-immune-system.html
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.
12 Comments
Paula Stewart
One more reason to be positive. It seems to me that more good things happen to positive people than to those surrounded by negative energy.
Dominique
I have found that to be true as well. More motivation to be as positive as possible!
vicky hallnewman
You need to get a mindset in your mind that positiveness will really help you mentally and physically. I believe in the power of positivity to get through life.
Dominique
I feel better when I am more positive!
Edward
I have to agree. Positive thinking can really attract good vibes and good results. It is proven.
Dominique
Proven in our everyday lives too! Your day goes better if you try to be as positive as you can — even when things are not going so well…
Sarah Bailey
Positive thinking can have such a huge impact can’t it? I try and repeat a mantra to myself every day but I have been forgetting of late. This is a great reminder of the power.
Dominique
I like the fact that you are using mantras or affirmations regularly — I have to get better at that!
Genny Gall
Also, admit the mistakes that we make, I believe is the best advance that we can have of ourselves to improve our life
David Elliott
I think the one great thing, (And yes all of the things you put out are great reasons to think positively) is that it attracts positive people around us. When we attract positive then good things will happen. I firmly believe that. Wish I were better at it.
Dominique
This is so true! It is amazing how nicer people are attracted to you if you are positive and nice yourself!
maysz
Positive thinking can make your life easier better and easier enjoy the things that can make you happy to achieve your goals in life 🙂