The Power of Positive Thinking and Attitude

Living in a time where life expectancy has now reached into the late 80’s you would think more people would feel that they had time to waste. Mankind is still looking for ways to extend and prolong the longevity of their time on this Earth.

Many studies have been done in the past, creams created, miracle drinks, diets, all in an effort help prolong life. Millions of hours and dollars have been invested in lengthening human life. Well there may have been a simple answer in front of us all along; positive thinking and attitude.

It may sound like a bunch of hooey to many, but recent studies support this theory. Clinical studies performed by the Mayo Clinic in the United States have provided statistical data and solid proof that optimists (people with positive attitudes and thinking patterns) outlive pessimists (those who have a negative outlook).

The Mayo Clinic performed the study over a five year period and monitored a large cross section of different people in various states such as Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota.

What the test found was that positive thinkers enjoyed such health benefits as:
Decreased stress
Greater resistance to colds and viral infections
An increased overall sense of well being and good health
Reduced risk of heart disease
Improved breathing
Lower cases of emphysema
Better coping and reduced stress in pregnant women
Living longer
Better problem solving and life coping skills

It is still a mystery to researchers as to why a more positive outlook on life has a positive effect on a persons overall well being and longevity.

Some experts believe that serotonin, a chemical released from the brain when a person experiences happiness, may reduce the effects of aging and boost the immune system. Another theory accepted by many doctors is that physical and mental stress impacts the body leading to weaker organs, which may become health problems with age. People who have a positive outlook on life experience less of this wear on their system due to less stress.

Before you start thinking negatively about your ability to change into a positive thinker, experts say it is relatively easy to become a positive thinker. Some of the health effects can even be immediate.

Positive thinking coaches preach the mantra of positive self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that flow through your head in the course of a regular day. In order to enjoy the benefits of positive thinking pessimists need to begin the habit of looking at things in new, more positive ways. The hardest part is starting out and making that effort to think positively, trying to see the good in most situations. Once you have trained yourself to the point were it becomes a habit it will become natural to have a more positive attitude and outlook on life.

  1. Some tips for positive thinking are:
  2. See the glass as half full, not half empty.
  3. When something bad happens do not personalize it and automatically blame yourself.
  4. Don’t polarize. That’s seeing things as only good or bad, black or white. These people often feel that if they are not perfect than they are a total failure.
  5. See things you’ve never done as an opportunity to learn something new.
  6. Instead of seeing something as “good enough” recognize that there’s always room for improvement.
  7. Instead of thinking you won’t get any better than you are at something, give it one more try and attempt to improve.
  8. Instead of thinking “I never have enough time” list and re-evaluate your priorities and focus only on the few that are immediately most important to you.
  9. Above all try, and if you are unable to meet goals understand that it is not the end of the world.

These are just a few tips on how you can begin to think positively. You won’t become an optimist over night, but the time it takes will likely be well worth the effort in improved health and longer life expectancy.

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