Positive thinking is important for many reasons, but does it actually impact our physical health? Recent research and information indicate that there is no longer any doubt about the connection between what we think and what happens in the body. Medically, it has been proven that cultivating authentic positive emotions can boost the immune system, reduce stress and improve circulation, lead to better cognitive function and mental health, and improve one’s overall quality of life.
True positive thinking is about dealing with the challenges of life and taking what appears to be a bad situation and finding something positive to focus on. For example, you discover that a flight was canceled and you're stuck in an airport, ultimately missing a family event. However, during your impromptu airport stay, you connect with a person stuck in the airport with you and build a new friendship. Or maybe there's a health concern...for example, you have a leg injury and you have to use crutches. On the positive side, you can use this free time to organize all the photos that you are sharing with family and friends.
Positivity simply means even if we are facing the reality of dark times, if we look hard enough, we can always find something positive. But it's more than that. Our physical health is at stake. Here are 5 ways adopting positive thinking can help improve your health and quality of life.
1. Positive Thinking Leads to Healthier Relationships
As humans, we are wired for connection and relationships. We are our healthiest selves, body, soul, and mind when we are living in relationships with others. A negative attitude not only prevents you from enjoying your life to the fullest, but it also has an impact on people around you. People want to avoid negativity, and if you are being negative, people will naturally distance themselves from you. So, cultivating a positive attitude is one of the best things you could offer your family, your coworkers, loved ones, and your community. Since a positive mindset makes it easy to express thankfulness and kindness, your positive relationships are soothing and calming.
2. Positive Thinking Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Researchers have reported that more positive people are better protected against the inflammatory damage of stress. Intense and reoccurring stress activates the immune system, leading to a strong inflammatory response. When faced with stressful situations, positive thinkers cope more effectively than pessimists. If you struggle with stress and anxiety, try switching your focus of attention to specific elements you are grateful for. It's also empowering to give yourself a plan of action. Write down 2-3 small steps you can take to improve your situation and start implementing one at a time.
3. Positive Thinking is Proven to Help Circulation and Heart Health
And while stress caused by a negative mindset has a number of physical effects like increased inflammation, it has a particularly harmful impact on your circulation. Heightened stress can cause a rise in blood pressure, which places greater strain on the walls of your arteries. And if you currently struggle with a heart condition or PVD (peripheral vascular disease), a rise in blood pressure induced by stress and anxiety will only make the circulation slow down and your heart experience stress.
But can being positive protect against heart disease and really lead to better blood circulation? Yes! There is a lot of evidence suggesting that having a positive mindset like being optimistic and showing gratitude can and does positively affect your circulation. In fact, in a US Health and Retirement study, in participants with known stable heart disease, positive psychological traits were associated with lower risks of having a heart attack. These traits included optimism (38% lower risk), a positive outlook (32%), and having a purpose in life (27%).
4. Positive Thinking Improves Cognitive Function
Positive or negative emotions can affect our brain chemistry and actions. Negative emotions can lead to slower response times, memory impairment, and decreased impulse control. On the other hand, positive thoughts increase mental productivity over time, intensifying the ability to pay attention, focus, as well as improving the ability to think and analyze incoming data, improving the ability to solve problems quicker, and enhancing creativity. This is especially helpful to consider as one enters into retirement age. It is important to pay attention to our mental agility as it tends to deteriorate as we age.
5. Get a Good Night's Sleep
In a study by the Harvard Medical School, men and women who have a more positive outlook on life are 63% less likely to suffer from sleep apnea and 52% less likely to suffer restless leg syndrome. The study showed a direct connection between positivity and better quality sleep. Rest and good sleep are restorative to the body, improving mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Here are Some Practical Actions to Take
But how does one practice positivity from a practical perspective? Here are some helpful tips as you pursue positive thinking. One of the key strategies is to avoid negative words.
- Regardless of what is happening that day, find one positive aspect and focus on that.
- Start a daily gratitude journal - find something to be grateful for each day and write it down.
- "I am grateful for ....."
- Speak kindly to yourself.
- Practicing mindfulness - focusing on the here and now lets us escape our mental anxiety loops.
- Be open to humor - find something funny in your day and take time to laugh.
- Surround yourself with positive people and make sure you interact with them.
- Practice acts of kindness daily - even small acts count big.
So, are there medical benefits to positive thinking? The answer is yes!
As we mentioned, it not only improves our physical and mental health but also improves our overall quality of life, leading to greater happiness and fulfillment. Protect the future of your health and happiness by adopting positive thinking practices into your day-to-day life, and you will see it pay off over time. Your future self, and your family and loved ones, will thank you for it!
