Carly Ries
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller
Is it just me or has the power of positive thoughts hit mainstream? It’s everywhere! Books, podcasts, you name it, but you know what? It’s for good reason.
Science is now showing that there are proven health benefits to positive thinking. Don’t believe me? The stats below are pulled from Mayo Clinic’s website. Health benefits of positive thinking include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
Kind of hard to argue with, right?
Obviously, we’d all prefer to be happy, but thinking positively is truly a practice you need to work on because it’s not always second nature. It’s a skill set you need to master.
When you think positively, you experience positive emotions, which allows you to open your eyes and see the many possibilities presenting themselves to you.
Alternatively, negative thoughts have a way of shutting things off around you and limiting your options.
On the road to greatness, which option sounds more appealing to you?
A well-known book on this ideology is called “The Secret,” and after reading it years ago, one phrase has stuck with me: Thoughts become things.
Your thoughts really do have an impact on your actions. If you routinely think about what you want and how to get it, it will be at the forefront of your mind, giving you greater control to go out and get the outcomes you’re looking for.
Positive thinking simply changes the way you see things. As Winston Churchill once said, “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity whereas an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Be the optimist.
Actionable Steps
Surround Yourself with Positivity
While this absolutely includes surrounding yourself with positive people, it doesn’t stop there. Watch funny movies, read a heartwarming book, or simply consider turning off the news. Think of ways to add positive influence into your life.
Smile
This is perhaps the easiest and quickest thing you can do to turn your mood around. Simply smile. You’ll be amazed at the impacts this gesture can have.
Exercise
This isn’t a surprise for active people. Exercise has the ability to help you clear your mind, reduce stress, and boost your mood, all leading to a positive attitude. If you’re having trouble mustering up a positive thought, put on your running shoes.
Express Gratitude
Every morning, jot down something you’re grateful for. It will set the tone for the rest of your day.
Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
Take notice of when you’re thinking positively versus negatively and see what you can to do change those negative thoughts over time. It takes practice but it’s worth it.
Make Somebody’s Day
Is there such a thing as a selfless good deed? It’s hard to say because the fact of the matter is, it feels good when you help others. It can turn your whole day around. Do it as often as you can and in whatever ways you can.
Reduce Stress
The reality is we all have stress. Yes, some greater than others, but we all experience it. Do your best to minimize it. Exercise, laugh, play, meditate, or do whatever it is you like doing to help bring down those stress levels every day. It will help you regain your positive way of thinking if you get off track.
Food for thought: What can you start doing today to start shifting to a more positive mindset?
This post is a part of series of posts that give a preview of our upcoming guide, Unleash Your Inner Awesome: Motivational Quotes With Actionable Steps to Help You Reach Your Goals and Achieve Great Things. To learn when this guide will be released and get access to it, be sure to follow us on social!
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter
