Positive Thinking - Knowing It In Detail!

Positivity may not mean to look cheerful or have a smiling face always. It is the perspective of looking at life even in tough situations. Positive thinking helps in being healthy, more productive & happier. Positive thinking is a principle or a method you apply to your mind. You always anticipate that all outcomes will always be favourable. It also means not allowing yourself to be discouraged when things don’t go your way.

Everything in this world is a combination of positive and negative. With positive thinking, you only focus on the positive aspects of a situation and be realistic. This also means that you don’t allow anything negative to dictate your mood.

Positive thinking also means looking forward to a happy and healthy life. 

Remember that positive thinking does not imply you keep your eyes closed to unpleasantness in life. It simply means you always respond to everything around you in a positive and productive manner. People who indulge in positive thinking are called optimists. 

What are the health benefits of positive thinking?

There are many benefits of positive thinking in your health –

• It reduces depression

• Can increase your lifespan

• Your physical and psychological wellbeing are improved

• The risk of cardiovascular problems drop significantly

• A strong coping mechanism 

• Your resistance to the common cold is enhanced

The reason why people experience health benefits in positive thinking is that it reduces the impact of stress on the body. It has also been observed that people who think positively also tend to live healthier lifestyles and abstain from smoking and drinking – all of which keep them healthy.

How can induce positive thinking in yourself?

There are ways through which you can train yourself to think in a positive manner –

1. Keep an eye on your mind

At multiple times during the day, take a peek into your mind. Determine if the thoughts floating in your head are negative or positive. If they are negative then put a positive spin on them.

2. Humour is king

If you allow yourself to laugh during stressful times, then you will notice that your stress levels will drop instantly.

3. Identify negative areas

Reflect on your thoughts and try to find out in which aspects of your life negative thoughts dominate. For example – it could be work, home or your relationships. Once you identify, start to consciously look at any one aspect in a positive light. Once you are able to do that, move on to the next aspect.

4. Keep positive people for company

Make sure to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Negative people can drain energy from you and also reduce your ability to handle stress.

5. Stay healthy

Your lifestyle also plays a role in your thinking. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily and avoid eating processed foods. You can also meditate daily to keep your mind light and calm.

Note that it will take some time before you start thinking positively, if you have a negative outlook right now. Just stick to the methods given above and you will see the results soon enough.