One of solutions that gets mentioned over and over when researching mental health topics is the power of positivity or positive thinking. Positive thinking is said to help depression, anxiety, reoccurring thought patterns and mental health in general. But why? That is what we are going to talk about today. Do you find your default thoughts to fall onto the negative or are you able to find something good in most circumstances? There’s power in the good thoughts. Let’s get to it.
Do Negative Thoughts Affect You?
Negative thoughts affect more than just your outlook on the topic you are thinking about right now. Did you know that most of us have a disposition to either default to negative thoughts or we default to finding good? Finding the balance and preventing ourselves from mostly seeing and thinking negative thoughts can be imperative for our health and well-being. Below are just a few examples of how mostly negative thoughts can affect your health.
- Negative impacts on relationships
- Decreased outlook on life
- Multiple health risks
- Digestive issues
- Increased depression and anxiety
- Lowered self-esteem
- Higher stress levels
Who would have thought that negative thought patterns could affect so many different aspects of our lives? Do you struggle with any of the above examples? Keep reading, maybe there are steps toward change that the below suggestions could help.
The Power Of Positivity.
Having a positive mindset can affect even more aspects of your life. I am not saying it is easy to change your thoughts from negative to positive, it can be hard. But I am saying it is worth it. There are just as many positive outcomes to having positive thoughts. People who maintain a more positive thought pattern have measurable differences in their lives. Below are few examples and possibilities that can exist with people who are positive.
- A better outlook on life
- Stronger immune system
- Lowered risk of early death
- Easier time making decisions
- Healthier relationships
- Decreased depression and anxiety
- Increased energy
Having positive thoughts affects so much more than just your thoughts. It is possible for your whole outlook to change. Have you read these two sections and feel you are ready to try a change? Below are some steps you could take to take charge of your thoughts.
How Do I Think Positively?
If you are having thoughts right now that you wish you could change how you think, but it feels too hard, you are not alone. Sometimes change is hard. Change is necessary and needed for growth. It may be hard, but taking small steps is possible. Remember, just because you have been a certain way most of your life doesn’t mean you have to remain there. Are you ready to take some steps to discover why you think the way you do and to change those to more positive outlooks? Below are some suggestions to help you in your journey.
- Notice the negative thought without criticizing yourself
- Can you identify what you are feeling
- Reflect on the thought, can you identify why you are thinking negative
- Examine if the thought is true and accurate
- Could there be other explanations than your thought
- Speak other alternatives to yourself
- Choose to replace the thought with something positive
- Write down something you are grateful for
- Share your thoughts with someone you trust
- Ask for feedback, did they have alternative possibilities
One of the simplest ways to reframe how you think or talk to yourself is to not say or think anything to yourself you wouldn’t say to someone’s face. We can sometimes be our own worst enemy or critic. Once we decide to love ourselves, and build ourselves up, it will only be a matter of time before we feel the benefits.
If you have tried to control negative thought patterns, but have not been able to make improvement, know that you are not alone. Upstate Restorative Counseling is here to help. Reach out today, our counselors have experience in helping you understand where the negativity comes from as well as steps to reach your goals.
