We live in a world where it is so easy for us to talk and focus on our problems rather than the good things happening to us. I am not saying that we should ignore the realities of life as the aim of this post is to help us acknowledge some of the benefits of positive thinking, reframe the mind and approach life with a more open mindset.

Positive thinking comes with a lot of benefits, and unfortunately negativity is still very common. Positive thinking is the practice of focusing on the good in any situation. It has significant benefits on our mental and physical health.  If you don’t believe you can meet your aspirations, you would hinder yourself from success. Positive thinking means approaching everything in life with courage and hoping that good things will come your way.

The Benefits of Positive Thinking

A lot of studies have linked the power of positive thinking and mental health. Positive thinking leads to

• Better mood
• More creativity
• Less depression
• Good problem-solving skill
• Clearer thinking
• Better coping skills

How positive thinking Improves your mental health?

Positive thinking has been known to help reduce anxiety and Stress. Every person you know will or might have suffered from a challenging period in life where they feel alone while going through a range of emotions. Accepting the situation was a crucial component of the growth process as certain things are beyond our control.

Positive thinking doesn’t mean masking a smile on when you do not feel it. Positive thinking relies on having a calm and broad view of life. Like everything in life, positivity also needs moderation and balance.

The effects of positive thinking on mental health are astounding. Scientists once thought that the brain was static, but now it’s clear that some mental consideration is important because overthinking will not only change the working of the brain, but it will also affect the physical structure, as well as the neurons, and the sensory pathways in the brain.

This means that the mindset is directly associated with all other parts of our lives, such as our physical health, mental health, and creativity.

Positive thinking Relieves Stress

When facing some stressful situations in life, positive thinking helps you to cope effectively with the issue rather than being pessimists. According to a recent study, it has been found that when an optimist encounters any disappointment, (s)he is more likely to focus on the things they can do to resolve the situation.

They devise a plan of action for assistance rather than dwelling on the frustrations they cannot change. On the other hand, pessimists think that the situation is out of their control or there’s nothing they can do to change it.

In this era of covid, there is a great need for us to turn these negative thoughts into a positive one. It is not as easy as it seems as this needs time and practice to help us develop a new habit. Here are some of the best ways to think more positively:

• In order to become more optimistic in positive thinking, start by identifying all the significant areas in your life that are clouded with negatively. For this purpose, it’s best to start focusing on just one aspect at a time.
• Allow yourself to smile or laugh during tough times. There is a great need to seek humour in everyday tasks. Laughing or smiling makes you feel less stressed.
• Evaluate what you are doing and thinking. If you feel that your thoughts are negative, spin it to a positive way.

Read: Effects of stress on men and women

Building Resilience and Positive Thinking

Self-help books such as the ‘Monk who Sold His Ferrari’ or ‘The Power of Now’ both highlight the power of positive thinking. The idea here is to develop a ‘thick skin’ such you can adapt to change. Life is constantly changing and evolving.  

Some useful ways to build resilience.

• Face your problems with courage and no ‘brushing them under the carpet’.
• Tell family and friends how you are feeling.
• Ask for help when overwhelmed.
• Walk away from drama and negativity.

Positive Thinking and the Bright Side of Life.

Toxic habits drain your energy unnecessarily. For us to grow, we should try and give up on the things that weigh us down. There is always something to be thankful for every day. Look at the bright side and follow some of these tips to a blissfully happy life.

• Never hate,
• Worry less,
• Live simply,
• Give a lot.
• Expect less and
• Always smile.

Further reading: Understanding the Psychology of Positive Thinking

Conclusion

Being positive and optimistic does not mean bad things will not happen to us. A positive thinker will accept the pain as part of the process. They will look at every situation as an opportunity for growth.

THE END

Hope this post on the benefits of positive thinking will help broaden your mind to the significant power of our thoughts. Please use the comments section below for any feedback and/or questions.

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Thanks for reading. Stay safe and see you in the next post.