- What is positive thinking?
- Why is positive thinking important?
- But is positive thinking even possible?
- How to develop a positive attitude
- 10 surprising benefits of positive thinking
- Fights depression
- Alleviates physical pain
- Builds a stronger heart
- Attracts friends
- Opens your mind
- Reframes annoying situations
- Increases creativity
- Keeps colds at bay
- Inspires new ideas
- Makes you a role model
- Positive results
- Do you practice positive thinking?
- How has it benefited you?
- Please share in the comments!
When I say that I am going to list 10 surprising benefits of positive thinking (and why you should make it a habit), are you tempted to roll your eyes and walk away?
Truth is, I don’t blame you. Today there’s so much chatter around this topic, you may consider it a passing trend that’s okay to ignore.
But seriously, does anyone really know what they’re talking about when they tell you to “think positive” and “just get on with it?” What does it really mean?
Let’s dig deeper!
What is positive thinking?
In a nutshell, positive thinking is the practice of maintaining an upbeat mental attitude and envisioning a favorable future. In other words, it’s approaching situations with the standpoint of the “glass is half-full” (rather than half-empty).
Why is positive thinking important?
Studies have shown that positive thinking may help you feel less stressed and even improve your overall health. And when you feel better, you’re more apt to accomplish your goals and inspire others. And who doesn’t want to do that? Also—dwelling over the negative stuff doesn’t get you anywhere. Sure, you can rant a bit, but after venting, it is best to move on, right? Why not spend your energy in a way that will benefit you?
But is positive thinking even possible?
You bet it is! However, positive thinking may not come naturally to you. Like so many other activities, it requires patience and practice. The good news is that anyone can learn how to focus on the good.
How to develop a positive attitude
- Stop beating yourself up: put a stop to any negative self-talk.
- Envision a joyous life: where do you want to be in the near future?
- Don’t be defeated by obstacles: try and try again!
- Repeat positive affirmations: remind yourself of what’s good!
It takes time before positive thinking becomes an automatic response to any given situation. Sometimes it will be difficult to remain optimistic, but setbacks are normal. Certainly, knowing the good that could come from “thinking positive” will encourage you to keep working on it.
10 surprising benefits of positive thinking
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Fights depression
We don’t expect you to be sunny and bright every second of every day, but when you invite in happy thoughts, you’re more apt to stay focused on goals and get things done. Simply put, as you accomplish more, your confidence and your mood soars.
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Alleviates physical pain
Studies have shown that folks who express gratitude on a regular basis complain less about physical ailments. It’s not a stretch to think that if you focus on negative thoughts, your physical body may react in a negative way, too.
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Builds a stronger heart
A positive outlook may help cardiac patients live longer, more comfortable lives. Evidence suggests that if you are less stressed, there is less of a strain on your heart. What’s more, when you feel good, you’re more inclined to make smarter, healthier choices in everyday life.
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Attracts friends
When you exhibit a positive attitude, people will want to be around you and hear what you’ve got to say. Good energy is contagious (as is bad energy), so be prepared to welcome others into your spotlight. Try it now!
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Opens your mind
When you think positively, you’re more open to new experiences and to trying new things. This, in turn, helps you grow as a person. Whether that means signing up for a new activity like CrossFit, learning a new craft hobby like knitting, or trying out a new food like quark cheese, positivity will give you the mindset to welcome new experiences.
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Reframes annoying situations
When you try to make an important phone call and are put on hold for more than three minutes, it’s tough not to get annoyed. But here’s how positive thinking can re-frame this scenario: use the downtime to multitask! Try doing the dishes or checking email while you wait for your call to be picked up.
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Increases creativity
When you’ve stopped filling your mind with feelings of concern or failure, you’ve made space for creative and inspiring thoughts to take root and grow. And for stress to pack up its bags and go!
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Keeps colds at bay
Tired of getting pesky colds? Researchers have found that positive thoughts allow for a more positive immune reaction to a flu shot!
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Inspires new ideas
Brainstorming is a terrific way to come up with new ideas — whether you’re planning a trip, redecorating your home, or making family dinner — you’re apt to stretch your imagination when you’re in an optimistic frame of mind. With the help of positive thinking, you’ll no longer be stuck in a rut!
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Makes you a role model
Setting a positive example for your kids and other members of the younger generation is one the very best things you can do. Certainly, it’s key to building a strong, lasting, reliable community. We guarantee that your upbeat attitude will impact those around you and resonate in the moment and beyond.
Positive results
As you can see from the list above, good things come to those who “think positive.” For example, being optimistic is thought to improve your mental and physical health and is believed to jump start productivity. But perhaps the most important reason to encourage positive thinking is because a sunny outlook has proven to be beneficial not just to yourself, but to those around you as well.
13 comments
Practising positive thinking has certainly benefitted me. I find it a lot easier to let go of negative feelings when I reframe a situation to see things in a more positive light. Positive thinking definitely works!
Evelyn Lim recently posted…7 Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety Reduction – Life Hacks for Stress-Free Living
I never really believed in the power of the mind and more often than not would get carried away by the situation. However I have come to believe, very very slowly I might add, that the way one thinks can definitely uplift oneself. Sometimes thinking positive is the only thing that keep you from completely giving up.
Didn’t know that it kept away colds. That seems like such a bonus.
Obsessivemom recently posted…A Bookish February #GratitudeCircle
I agree that positive thinking, and especially a regular gratitude practice, does a lot for our mental health, which of course, has an impact on our body as well. A positive minds leads to more creativity? Interesting…I found my creativity during one of the lowest points in my life, so I think creativity helps us find our positivity. Or maybe I have it backwards? I don’t know!
Modern Gypsy recently posted…Easy abstract painting for beginners
I was such a pessimist for years together! not one positive thought would come to fight those negative thoughts. But, it’s last year that I learned to curb those negative thoughts, learned to stay in the moment and keep my mind busy thinking about that moment than coming up with all kinds of negative stuff. And, it did make a lot of difference! Of course, there are days when that negativity returns, and it does take a lot of strength to push it out of my system, but I am working towards staying positive. If not positive, I make efforts to stay in the moment. That way no thoughts are allowed to enter my mind and I am able to deal with the situation better.
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…Skin care made easy.
I can attest that all of the benefits here are true from personal experience. I prefer to call it “thought reframing.” It is important that a person not stuff, deny, or judge their original feelings or thoughts. That is not any healthier than thinking negative. However, to work with them to choose to see a more positive side does have all the benefits!
Debbie Hampton recently posted…4 Science-Backed Methods to Help Your Brain Process Trauma
This is a great reminder for me, Vidya. Being a Virgo, I do tend to be critical and can fall into negative thinking. But I want to be positive, of course!!!!! I’ll keep practicing.
These are great suggestions, Vidya. I have found that any situation can be better handled when you approach with a positive attitude. It changes the atmosphere and gives everyone a glimmer of hope.
Oh yes, positivity goes a long way in defining ourselves and how we react to situations. Wonderful to know about these benefits. I recently read that Anil Kapoor cites positivity as one of the reasons behind his youthful looks. Now that is a huge motivation too. 🙂
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Melt in a sigh
Couldn’t agree more Vidya. We’re either in the habit of being negative Nellies or positive Pamelas and if its the former it requires a little practice as you say to become the latter. But it’s so well worth it for our life long happiness, health and prosperity. It works in my life. Love Elle 🙂
Oh Vidya…you know how much I believe in the healing powers of positive thinking 🙂 So this article is such a beautiful explanation of all that I believe in. Thank you!
xoxo, Z~
Zeenat Merchant Syal recently posted…On Being An Empowered Woman + Top 50 Positive Quotes By Empowering Women
Hi Vidya! I am also a BIG fan of positive thinking and I completely agree with all your suggestions. And of course, even though I know them all, I think it is really important to remind ourselves over and over again. Thanks for bringing me back and helping to reinforce these truths. ~Kathy
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com recently posted…Productivity, Worthiness And Thoughts On Self-Compassion
I am a positive person, I always think that everything happens for a reason and that God has a better plan for me 🙂
If you struggle with any part of the manifesting process, you must learn law of attraction meditation techniques. It will help you to change your negative thought to the positive one. Raising your vibrational frequency in order to manifest is not an easy task if you don’t know all of the necessary techniques. There are various types of Law of Attraction Meditation.