The hype around positive thinking or ‘seeing the glass half full’ is more than just a catchy slogan it’s scientifically justified. Positive thinking affects your overall outlook on life and your attitude towards problems, which in turn affects your health.
Much research has focused on the topic of positivity and the many benefits of staying optimistic. In fact, some findings indicate that personality traits like optimism not only reduce stress but also promote greater overall well-being. Positive thinking and optimism are important for effective stress management and in turn lower the risk of heart disease and boost your immune system
Negative emotions do more damage to the brain than you think. Studies have shown that when confronted with negative thoughts people were less able to concentrate on multiple things. Negative emotions can even consume a person to the extent that they shut themselves off from the outside world, thus limiting their options and available opportunities. They are, in such a scenario, paralyzed by the fear and burden of the impending tasks while unable to accomplish them.
Positive thoughts and emotions such as joy, contentment, and love, on the other hand, make the mind more receptive to new ideas and broadening one’s sense of possibilities. The benefits of positive thoughts are not short-lived as an open mind enhances the ability to build skills and acquire resources for later in life.
While optimism and the full extent of its many benefits are still being studied research has indicated that positive thinking can be linked to the following:
- Increased life span
- Lower rate of depression
- Low stress level in body
- Greater immunity to most common diseases – including the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- More alert
- Better perseverance
- Reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases
Positive thoughts and optimism instill a feeling of purpose in a person and make them more responsible for their health. They are more motivated to engage in physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and avoid destructive behaviors such as drinking and smoking. Positivity also reduces the harmful effects of stress on the body, such as heart disease.
Meditation, physical activity, spending time outside, and pursuing one’s hobbies are some of the things that invite positivity in one’s life.
