Positive thinking is a mental attitude that encourages people to focus on the positive in their life. It also helps them acknowledge that difficult circumstances are temporary and not permanent.
Positivity has been linked to improved health and longer life. But it’s essential to temper positive thoughts when faced with difficult circumstances or negative people.
1. Boosts Your Immune System
According to new research from the University of Queensland, looking at life with a positive attitude can strengthen your immune system and potentially extend life expectancy. A two year study with 50 adults aged 65-90 by researchers at UQ found that having an upbeat attitude improved their physical wellbeing as well as their outlook.
Researchers observed that optimistic people had stronger immune responses when confronted with challenging tasks. Additionally, they displayed a more favorable reaction to stressful circumstances.
2. Lowers Your Blood Pressure
By thinking positively, your body’s natural responses can help maintain normal blood pressure levels. It’s an easy but effective strategy.
Studies have demonstrated that people with a positive outlook tend to live healthier lives, being less prone to heart disease and other health issues. Furthermore, they experience better quality of life overall.
3. Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have demonstrated that having a healthy attitude, sense of purpose in life and gratitude mindset can reduce your risk for heart disease. Furthermore, optimism has been linked to better physical health outcomes such as lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Professor Alan Rozanski, lead study author from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, expressed his hope that these results would spur research into ways optimism can be utilized to reduce disease onset and progression.
4. Lowers Your Risk of Stroke
Positive thinking can reduce the risk of stroke, even for people who already have heart disease. Furthermore, optimists tend to possess healthier coping techniques such as seeking social support.
A recent study has demonstrated that higher levels of optimism are linked to improved functional status during the critical period following stroke recovery. This finding is significant as it suggests that raising morale may be an effective way to promote mental health and expedite recovery from stroke.
5. Lowers Your Risk of Cancer
A positive outlook can have a tremendous effect on your health. Not only does it help you cope with stressful situations and difficult circumstances, but it also strengthens your immune system.
People who are more optimistic have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and infection. Furthermore, they show less stress-related inflammation and have improved pain tolerance.
6. Lowers Your Risk of Depression
Positive thinking isn’t about suppressing negative thoughts, but rather requires a mindset shift. You can cultivate affirming thoughts, express gratitude and refrain from negative self-talk to create this shift in perspective.
Research has demonstrated that people who practice positive thinking often experience better health outcomes than those who don’t. Regardless of your natural outlook on life, positive thinking can help you cope with illness and alleviate depression.
7. Strengthens Your Relationships
Positive thinking can significantly boost self-esteem through improving relationships. When you’re stuck in a negative space, communication, connection and overall relationship health take a hit.
However, if you make the effort to become more positive in your relationship, both of you will experience enhanced growth and enhanced self-worth.
8. Strengthens Your Self-Esteem
Do you tend to see the glass as half empty or half full? No matter your personality type, positive thinking is an ability that you can develop.
Positive thinking has the power to strengthen your mental health and help manage stress. It may even improve physical symptoms as well as boost self-worth.
9. Strengthens Your Mental Health
Maintaining a positive mental attitude is one of the best ways to enhance your wellbeing. Not only does it reduce stress, but it can also strengthen your immunity and even extend life expectancy.
A positive mindset can also help you cope better with adversity. Being able to see the positive aspects of any situation and not getting caught up in negative emotions helps you remain resilient.
10. Strengthens Your Physical Health
Maintaining a positive outlook can help you better cope with stressful situations and lessen its detrimental effects on your body.
One study has even demonstrated that those who tend to be more optimistic in life tend to have stronger immune systems, making them better equipped to fight off colds and flus.