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The Power of Positivity
How many times have you caught yourself being judgemental either about someone else or yourself? How often have you given up on a task because you had decided you wouldn’t be successful anyway? And how often have you thought that optimistic people are simply not living in the real world? Well, if any of these statements sound familiar it may well be that you are a negative thinker, and given the ‘doom and gloom’ surrounding us these days, it is easy to understand why. Natural disasters, wars, poverty and the recession can all contribute to a negative attitude especially if we forget that often we only tend to hear the ‘bad’ news and forget that there are actually a lot of great things happening in the world!
While walking around with a negative attitude will likely not be conducive to a happy social life, there is more proof than ever that pessimism may actually be responsible for a number of health conditions and may contribute to a risk of cardiovascular disease, lowered immune system and high blood pressure. In fact, a recent report even showed a link between seniors who held positive attitudes and a decrease in frailty, not to mention a better quality of life.
It is all too easy to dismiss the ‘power’ of positive thinking as simply another new-age type of belief, but the hard facts are becoming more difficult to ignore. However, knowing that a positive attitude can reap rewards and actually having and maintaining a positive outlook are two completely separate issues. Many people are so used to falling into negative thought patterns that the idea of thinking in a more positive, optimistic way will seem alien and totally unnatural to them. However, persistence is key when adopting this type of attitude and though it may even seem fake at first, it is surprising how quickly this new way of thinking becomes second nature. Having positive thoughts, however hard it seems, will bring about action, which in turn becomes a habit and ultimately produce results.
Rather than just forcing the brain to have healthy thoughts, it may be helpful at first to write down some positive affirmations which should be read and even spoken aloud on a daily basis. Practising laughter therapy is a great way to improve overall happiness as is forcing a smile even at times when you least feel like it. Focussing on the present and identifying and replacing negative thoughts with positives ones is extremely beneficial as is widening ones social circle and support network.
Learning that while we cannot control our environment and certain situations we do have the power to choose our thoughts is a very powerful tool and can do wonders in lifting a depressed mood and encouraging oneself to make positive changes in areas where it is possible. For someone with severe depression or chronic illness, while this type of positive attitude and lifestyle will certainly not be a miracle cure, time and time again patients have shown marked improvements in physical and mental health which can only act as a boost to their more traditional method of treatment.
Another aspect of having a positive attitude is that the individual is more likely to want to make some healthy lifestyle choices in terms of diet and exercise which can also add to the feeling of overall well-being. Increasing the amount of Omega-3 fats, healthy fresh foods and physical activity in our daily lives will bring untold benefits and, over the long term, living a longer, healthier and more vibrant life will certainly make us feel like smiling!