Looking on the bright side can go a long way. Learn how a positive attitude can transform your life for the better
See the glass half full, find the silver lining, look on the bright side … there are endless platitudes and clichés that are so regularly recited, they don't seem to carry much meaning. This seems especially true on the days when metaphorical rain pours down on your metaphorical parade, or when a storm cloud seems to be hovering over your head for days on end. But taking a closer look at optimism reveals these everyday turn of phrases actually have the right idea in mind. When put into routine practice, positive thinking can change your whole life for the better … and in more ways than one.
Now, this may run the risk of sounding pessimistic, but of course, there is a slight catch. Becoming a positive thinker isn't as simple as looking at a colorful "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster more often. "It's easier said than done," says Noelle Damon, a holistic psychotherapist. "It takes practice. Positive thinking is not to be confused with a belief that everything is OK or should be OK. It's about maintaining balance even when it isn't." Now for the good news: Once you equip yourself with the proper tools to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, you'll begin to notice a change, not only in yourself, but in other aspects of your life from relationships to even your physical appearance.
To help you get started on the path toward optimism, we asked professional therapists and psychologists to not only reveal the many benefits of positive thinking, but to offer advice on how to incorporate the practice for long term effects. Click ahead to learn the five ways positive thinking can change your life and how you can start being more positive today.
IT CREATES A SOUND MIND
"POSITIVE THINKING ABSOLUTELY AFFECTS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH," SAYS DR. CHLOE CARMICHAEL, WHO HOLDS A PHD IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY. "DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY LINKED TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, SO IT IS DEFINITELY IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS TO FOCUS ON THE BRIGHT SIDE." CHANGING YOUR OUTLOOK CAN EVENTUALLY REVAMP YOUR ATTITUDE LONG TERM.
"THE BRAIN TENDS TO REPEAT FAMILIAR THINGS OVER AND OVER, GOING OVER ESTABLISHED NEURONAL PATHWAYS. REPEATING A MANTRA, AN AFFIRMATION, OR A CHOICE OVER AND OVER CREATES NEW PATHWAYS, WHICH EVENTUALLY BECOME AUTOMATIC. THE NEW THOUGHTS WILL RUN THROUGH YOUR HEAD LIKE THE OLD THOUGHTS DID, OR LIKE A POPULAR SONG YOU'VE HEARD REPEATEDLY," SAYS TINA B. TESSINA, PHD, PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND AUTHOR OF "IT ENDS WITH YOU: GROW UP AND OUT OF DYSFUNCTION."
AUTOMATIC POSITIVE THOUGHTS ALLOW FOR A MENTAL FOUNDATION THAT PUTS YOUR MIND AT EASE. THIS IN TURN MAKES YOU BETTER EQUIPPED TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND HELPS YOU TO STOP SECOND-GUESSING YOURSELF. WITH CLEAR GOALS AND LESS-CLOUDED JUDGMENT, YOUR MOTIVATION AND DESIRE TO REACH SUCH GOALS WILL BE INCREASED SINCE YOU WILL SEE THEM AS ATTAINABLE.
IT STRENGTHENS YOUR BODY
At first glance, positive thinking may seem to only directly affect your mental health, but a shift in attitude can be just as beneficial for your physical health. "Positive thinking reduces the effects of stress hormones on the body and allows the body to draw on its innate healing abilities," Damon explains. "Negative thinking, however, activates centers of the brain that cause stress hormones to be released. This hormonal cascade, if not managed properly, can lead to many of the disorders and diseases that commonly afflict people today."
In the long run, regularly harboring positive thoughts can make your body more resilient and help it combat ailments by releasing neurohormones to offset stress hormones. "It's like righting a ship on the water so one can continue smooth sailing," says Damon. "If the negative thoughts prevail, the ship runs the risk of capsizing and the body becomes worn down, exhausted, and the immune system is weakened."
IT GIVES YOU A GLOW
In addition to helping your body on the inside, positive thinking can work wonders on your outer appearance too. "Focusing on negative things increases the cortisol levels in the body which is a stress hormone -- and we all know that people who are stressed don't tend to have that radiant, healthy glow," says Carmichael.
Unmanaged stress may not be the root of skin problems, but it tends to be a trigger factor for pre-existing conditions such as acne and eczema. A simple smile (which already works to brighten your appearance) can quickly put you on the path of positive thinking. This, in turn, will keep those stress levels in check and help keep your skin clear. "Research shows that maintaining a pleasant, happy expression actually lifts your mood because you interpret it as a sign of happiness," says Carmichael, and a better mood translates into a healthier look.
IT INCREASES SELF-CONFIDENCE
Perhaps one of the most important benefits of positive thinking is its ability to change the way you see yourself. "Most of my clients don't realize that they are responsible for their own feelings, and no one else is responsible for making them feel better," Tessina says.
She recommends taking time to become aware of what you're saying to yourself. "Is it a constant stream of negativity? If so, it can be just as stressful as if someone was constantly over your shoulder, tearing you down. It's hard to know what you really want." Once you begin to have a more positive attitude, you'll begin build confidence and a sense of sureness, because you'll start to trust and believe in yourself. "Remember, the first person you need to be in relationship with is yourself," says Tessina. "By being kind to yourself and bringing yourself to positive thoughts, all the other benefits will gently unfold and only increase over time."
IT STRENGTHENS YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
In addition to mending your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence, positive thinking will eventually radiate out towards those around you. "The form of mindfulness that springs from positive thinking can help you develop compassion -- not only toward yourself, but toward others," Damon explains
"This can lead to increased understanding, kindness, and cooperation," all of which will help you build and foster the many relationships in your life, from family, significant others, and coworkers you see on a daily basis. Furthermore, having a positive attitude will increase your relationship satisfaction and attract positive people.
GET STARTED
To reap the benefits of positive thinking, Tessina, Carmichael, and Damon recommend implementing these simple changes into your daily routine to slowly shift your mindset.
Take note: Write positive comments on your daily calendar for any achievements you want to celebrate or any instances that made you feel good (i.e. feeling proud because you went to the gym, your boss gave you positive feedback, you received a compliment from friend).
Engage yourself : Actively take part in things that make you happy, even if you need to schedule it into your daily schedule. Catch up with an old friend, listen to your favorite songs, paint, read, or pick up tickets to a sporting event.
Picture it : Surround yourself with visible evidence of your successes. Display photos of fun events, sports trophies, articles you've published, etc. It's a constant reminder that you appreciate yourself and when you see them daily, you'll feel the appreciation.
Find a place: Develop a peaceful place inside yourself that you can "visit" whenever you are not at ease. Think about a place, real or imagined, that evokes a feeling of calm. Close your eyes and totally immerse yourself in the experience of that place. Practice going here in your imagination frequently so you can call upon it any time, particularly when you are stressed.
