They also tend to see negative events as temporary and atypical. On the other hand, individuals with a pessimistic explanatory style often blame themselves when bad things happen, but fail to give themselves adequate credit for successful outcomes. As you can imagine, blaming yourself for events outside of your control or viewing these unfortunate events as a persistent part of your life can have a detrimental impact on your state of mind.
Positive thinkers are more apt to use an optimistic explanatory style, but the way in which people attribute events can also vary depending upon the exact situation. For example, a person who is generally a positive thinker might use a more pessimistic explanatory style in particularly challenging situations, such as at work or at school.
In recent years, the so-called "power of positive thinking" has gained a great deal of attention thanks to self-help books such as "The Secret. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , positive thinking is linked to a wide range of health benefits including:.
One study of 1, older adults found that positive thinking could also reduce frailty during old age. Clearly, there are many benefits of positive thinking , but why exactly does positive thinking have such a strong impact on physical and mental health. One theory is that people who think positively tend to be less affected by stress. Another possibility is that people who think positively tend to live healthier lives in general; they may exercise more, follow a more nutritious diet, and avoid unhealthy behaviors.
While the terms "positive thinking" and "positive psychology" are sometimes used interchangeably, it is important to understand that they are not the same thing. First, positive thinking is about looking at things from a positive point of view. Positive psychology certainly tends to focus on optimism, but it also notes that while there are many benefits to thinking positively, there are actually times when more realistic thinking is more advantageous.
For example, in some situations, negative thinking can actually lead to more accurate decisions and outcomes. Even if you are not a natural-born optimist, there are things you can do to learn how to think more positively and become a positive thinker. One of the first steps is to focus on your own inner monologue and to pay attention to your self-talk. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. How power of positive thinking works.
The Harvard Gazette. Published December 7, Seligman M. Learned Optimism. New York City: Random House; Chang E, Sanna L. Here are some examples of negative self-talk and how you can apply a positive thinking twist to them:.
If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance.
You may also become less critical of the world around you. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're better able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way.
That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Stress management. Products and services. Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Carver CS, et al. True, you also need the necessary skills and expertise, but they will not get you far without optimism, hopefulness and expectation of success.
It must be emphasized that for this attitude to be effective, it should also be backed by positive action and initiative. You need to make plans and use your common sense, and not just depend on luck. One should take the difficulties and problems into account, not ignore them, but at the same time keep a strong belief in finding a solution to every problem and difficulty. Get the eBook About the Author. Remez Sasson is the author and creator of Success Consciousness website, which he has been running since He is the author of books and articles that teach and help people to improve their life, achieve success, gain inner strength and inner peace, and become more positive and happy.
Follow for updates and new posts: Facebook Twitter Linkedin. Category » Positive Thinking. Pin What is positive thinking? A positive thinking person focuses more on the good in people, not on the bad. Learn to Think Positive! Ad - Continue reading below. About the Author Remez Sasson is the author and creator of Success Consciousness website, which he has been running since We use cookies on our website to help us improve our site. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
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