The power of positive thinking (2023)

Do you usually see the glass half empty or half full? You have probably heard this question many times. Your answer is directly related to the concept of positive thinking and if you have onepositiveor negative view of life. Positive thinking plays an important role inPOSITIVE Psychology, a subfield devoted to the study of what makes people happy and fulfilled.

Research has found that positive thinking can help withstress managementand even plays an important role in your general health and well-being.It can help combat feelings of low self-esteem, improve physical health, and help improve your overall outlook on life.

This article looks at what positive thinking is and the health benefits of being positive. It also explores some of the strategies you can use to become a more positive thinker.

What is positive thinking?

Positive thinking means approaching life's challenges with a positive perspective.It doesn't mean viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, ignoring or overlooking the negative aspects of life.

Some researchers, including positive psychologistsmartin seligman, to frame positive thinking in terms of explanatory style.They areexplanatory styleit is how you explain why the events happened.

• optimistic explanatory style: People with an optimistic explanatory style tend to take credit when good things happen and often blame external forces for bad outcomes. They also tend to see negative events as temporary and out of place.
• pessimistic explanatory style: People with a pessimistic explanatory style often blame themselves when bad things happen, but don't take credit for successful outcomes.They also tend to view negative events as expected and long-lasting. As you can imagine, blaming yourself for events beyond your control or viewing these unfortunate events as a persistent part of your life can have a negative impact on your mood.

Positive thinkers are more likely to use an optimistic explanatory style, but the way people attribute events can also vary depending on the exact situation. For example, a person who generally thinks positively might use a more pessimistic explanatory style in particularly challenging situations, such as at work or school.

Positive Psychology vs. Positive thinking

Although the terms "positive thinking" and "positive psychology" are sometimes used interchangeably, it's important to understand that they are not the same thing. Positive thinking is looking at things from a positive point of view. It is a type of thinking that focuses on maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude. Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the effects of optimism, what causes it, and when it is best to use it.

Health benefits of positive thinking

In recent years, the so-called "power of positive thinking" has gained a lot of attention thanks to self-help books like "The Secret." While these popular psychology books often promote positive thinking or philosophies likelaw of attractionAs a sort of psychological panacea, empirical research has found that there are many real health benefits associated with positive thinking and optimistic attitudes.

Positive thinking is linked to a wide range of health benefits, including:

• Better stress management and coping skills
• improved psychological health
• Increased resistance to the common cold
• Greater physical well-being
• longer shelf life
• lower rates ofdepression
• Reduced risk of death related to cardiovascular disease

A 2018 study published inAging Research Journalfound that having a positive mental attitude was associated with decreased mortality over a 35-year period.People who had a more positive outlook were also more likely to exercise regularly, avoid smoking, eat a healthier diet, and sleep better.

Clearly there are manybenefits of positive thinking. But why, exactly, does positive thinking have such a strong impact on physical and mental health?mental health?

One theory is that people who think positively tend to be less affected by stress. Research suggests that having more positive automatic thoughts helps people be more resilient in the face of stressful life events. People who had high levels of positive thinking were more likely to walk away from stressful life events with a greater sense of meaning in life.

Another possibility is that people who think positively tend to live healthier lives overall; they can exercise more, eat a more nutritious diet, and avoid unhealthy behaviors.

How to practice positive thinking

While you may be more prone to negative thoughts, there are strategies you can use to become a more positive thinker. Practicing these strategies regularly can help you get into the habit of maintaining a more positive outlook on life.

• watch your thoughts: Begin to pay attention to the type of thoughts you have each day. If you find that many of them are negative, make a conscious effort to reframe your thinking in a more positive way.
• Write in a gratitude journal.: Practicinggratitudeit can have a number of positive benefits and can help you learn to develop a better perspective. Experiencing thoughts of gratitude helps people feel more optimistic.
• Use positive self-talk:how do you talk to yourselfIt can play an important role in shaping your prospect. Studies have shown that switching to a more positive self-talk can have a positive impact on your emotions and the way you respond to stress.

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Potential Dangers of Positive Thinking

While there are many benefits to thinking positively, there are actually times when more realistic thinking is more advantageous. For example, in some situations,negative thinkingit can actually lead to more accurate decisions and results.

However, research suggests that realistic optimism may be ideal. The results of a 2020 study published inPersonality and Social Psychology Newsletterrevealed that people who have wrong expectations, whether optimistic or pessimistic, tend to do worse in terms of mental health compared to realistic ones.

The study authors suggest that the disappointment experienced by optimists when their high hopes do not come true could have a negative impact on well-being. This does not mean that people should strive to be pessimistic thinkers. as studies indicate that people with a negative outlook tend to do worse.Instead, having a generally positive outlook focused on realistic expectations may be the best approach.

In some cases, inappropriately applied positive thinking can cross the line into what is known astoxic positivity. This means insisting on maintaining a positive mindset, no matter how upsetting, dire, or damaging a situation may be. This type of excessive positivity can prevent authentic communication and cause people to experience feelings of shame or guilt if they struggle to maintain an overly positive outlook.

A word from Verywell

Even if you're not a natural optimist, there are things you can do to learn tothink more positivelymibecome a positive thinker. One of the first steps is to focus on your own internal monologue and pay attention to your self-talk.