Understanding positive thinking and self-talk
Positive thinking doesn't mean that you ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative.
Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information or expectations due to preconceived ideas of what may happen.
The health benefits of positive thinking
Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress and pain
- Greater resistance to illnesses
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Reduced risk of death from cancer
- Reduced risk of death from respiratory conditions
- Reduced risk of death from infections
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
Focusing on positive thinking
- Identify areas to change: If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you usually think negatively about — whether it's work, your daily commute, life changes or a relationship. Start small by focusing on one area to approach more positively.
- Check yourself: Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find your thoughts are mainly negative, try to reframe them positively.
- Be open to humor: Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday moments.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle: Exercise for about 30 minutes on most days, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and learn stress management techniques.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Stay close to those who are positive, supportive, and encouraging. Limit interactions with people who increase stress and negativity.
Putting Positive Thinking into Practice:
| Negative self-talk |
Positive thinking |
| I've never done it before. |
It's an opportunity to learn something new. |
| It's too complicated. |
I'll tackle it from a different angle. |
| I don't have the resources. |
Necessity is the mother of invention. |
| I'm too lazy to get this done. |
I couldn't fit it into my schedule, but I can re-examine some priorities. |
| There's no way it will work. |
I can try to make it work. |
Author: Aiswarya Thamizhvarman (A-402)
