Seven Reasons Why Keeping a Positive Outlook on Life Is a Good Thing
Life is all about how you perceive things; your thinking and beliefs about specific experiences matter more than the experience itself.
According to Albert Ellis’s ABC model, the external event itself (A) is not entirely responsible for the emotional consequences (C); the beliefs you hold (B) about the event are more important.
Did you know those who adopt a positive outlook on life experience it to the fullest? You are bound to experience highs and lows; responding to the lows with a positive attitude will make you more content with life.
Research shows that optimism results in healthier lifestyles with better diets, more activity, and less maladaptive behaviors like smoking.
As yourself. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? The famous is valid today too. Adopting an optimistic attitude means making the best of everything in times of hardship and with ease.
Doing so has a significant impact on your mental wellbeing, social life, and even physical health. Read through the following reasons why a positive attitude towards life is a good thing.
1. It minimizes stress and anxiety
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Positive thinking is a significant component of stress management. Those who look on the bright side during negative situations are less likely to feel stressed out and anxious.
Constantly dwelling on the negative aspects of a situation will never end well. Stress can range from general aches and pain, stomach disturbances, muscle tension, headaches, blood pressure problems, and a weakened immune system.
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With an advanced degree, you’ll learn the basic principles of organizing thoughts, the art of listening to others, and ways of helping others who can’t find a way out of depression and several other mental health problems.
Several studies concluded that negative self-talk increases stress and positivity lowers it? In general, such therapies aim to make patients adopt a more positive outlook on life.
2. It improves resilience
Positive thinkers can think with a clear mind without being clouded by stress or emotions. This ability to cope with traumatic experiences successfully and remain strong is called resilience.
Resilient people have more positive self-views, develop realistic plans, have an internal locus of control, and see themselves as fighters.
You are bound to experience challenging situations, whether it is a lost opportunity at promotion, a difficult exam, or the death of a loved one.
Optimism boosts resilience; in such stressful situations, optimistic people remain calm, focus on finding rational solutions, and tackle problems head-on. Yes, they do experience anxiety, but they can use healthy coping strategies.
Research shows that psychological resilience has major implications in recovering from setbacks. A study revealed that cancer survivors who constantly used self-affirmations to reinforce themselves positively were less likely than others to suffer cognitive impairment.
3. Positive attitudes keep you motivated
If you think negatively, your aims tend to be lower, procrastination sets in, vision remains unclear, and fear demotivates you.
One way you can boost intrinsic motivation is to think positively; such thoughts inspire you from within to stay dedicated to achieving your goals.
Positive thinkers notice the good aspects of life, regardless of how small they may be, accept all circumstances, good or bad, avoid destructive self-comparison, and are grateful for what they have.
Suppose you’re going through a rough patch of life; if you remain hopeful for a better future, you will stay motivated to make it through till the end.
4. It improves physical health
As surprising as it may sound, the happier you are, the longer you’ll live. Research shows that increased optimism reduces the risk of early death, especially from illnesses like heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory problems, and infection.
Positive thinking speeds up recovery from illnesses and boosts the immune system. At the same time, optimistic people are less likely to engage in life-risking behaviors like alcohol dependency and smoking.
Such people also are less likely to experience distress and depression because of their better coping mechanisms.
5. It encourages gratitude
If you’re unable to take note of positive things in life, you’ll never learn to be grateful. Focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t is essential to positive thinking.
With such thinking comes gratitude and subsequent happiness. Optimism teaches you to overlook the problems and appreciate the good things in life.
You stop taking things for granted and enjoy every moment of life. Gratitude, in turn, is strongly associated with happiness, improved health, and stronger relationships.
6. Positivity helps overcome fear
When you keep looking on the bright side of things, you gain courage. Worrying about the potential negative outcome never lets you move ahead and dulls your self-confidence.
Treatment interventions for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are designed to encourage them to think positively to overcome excessive worry.
Research shows this to be effective in reducing anxiety. To achieve your goals, you need to overcome fear and persevere regardless of the hurdles; positivity equips you with this ability.
7. It boosts your self-esteem
In today’s competitive world, high self-esteem and confidence are great assets. When you look at your positive qualities, stop unhealthy comparisons, take things lightly, take compliments, and don’t engage in negative self-evaluations, it boosts your self-confidence.
It gives you the ‘I can do this’ attitude and motivates self-improvement.
Your self-talk plays a crucial role in your self-image; if you constantly put yourself down and are critical of yourself, you will never see your good side.
Remember, you cannot attain personal goals with a defeated attitude.
Final Words
Keep your head up, stay positive, and live life to the fullest. People who have learned to think negatively because of life experiences find it hard to be optimistic.
Yes, your attitude would not change overnight but remember to make conscious efforts. If you are caught in a spiral of negativity, you can seek professional help to get through it too.
Either way, it is time to improve your thinking. Positivity makes it easier to face stressful situations, motivates you, encourages gratitude, promotes happiness, boosts self-esteem, and improves your physical health.
With all the benefits it reaps, why not work towards improving your outlook on life? Take the first step, and everything else will follow.
