Positive Thinking, Does it Really Make You Happy?

There is a growing wave about thinking positively to attract wellness, happiness, and wealth. But how much of this is true, and if it is, why is there a lot of unhappiness and sickness? According to a study summarizing multiple research thinking positively has, in fact, benefits on health, the ability to handle life stressors, and improve mood.

During stressful situations, the body produces cortisol as part of a defense mechanism to help us deal with the perceived danger in front of us. However, when the stress is present for long periods, the levels of cortisol continue the rise and, like any imbalance in the body, can cause different health issues. The study mentioned explains how positive thinking helps us have a better outlook on stressful events and on our ability to deal with the situation. This confidence decreases stress, which in turn helps the body to recover faster, coming back to normal levels of cortisol. This is probably why the authors of the study found that people who think and feel positively are less likely to get sick, recover faster, and live longer.

The benefits of positive thinking aren’t only related to health but also to other important areas of life as work, creativity, and mood.  People who have positive thoughts and feel happy tend to get better jobs, are more productive and creative, and get better reviews from their superiors.

Another study found that just by thinking consistently about getting positive outcomes, people reported an important improvement in their mood, in the way they perceived the world, and in the motivation to continue thinking positively. The challenge of positive thinking is that it requires practice and consistency even when faced with difficult situations.

So here are a few helpful tips for keeping a positive mind and attitude:

Focus on the desired result

In any situation you encounter, instead of thinking of the worst-case scenario, focus on what you want to achieve, on what you want to happen, and on the multiple benefits positive results may bring for you and others. You are the only one who can choose what you think, so pick the positive scenario!

Be your best friend

When you make a mistake, learn from it and keep going.  There isn’t a reason to ruminate on what you could have done better and criticize yourself. I call this self-torment. If this is difficult for you, think about what you would say to your best friend if she or he were in the same situation. You can also shift your focus to the appreciation of the growth a lesson learned brought.

Be intentional on your thinking

Create a daily routine in the morning when you think all the experiences you will have during the day are going to go very well, and at night, when you reflect on all the great events of the day you had and the strengths you used. Focus on the positive!

You can start right now by imagining the joy and happiness you will feel by thinking of the best case scenarios that positive thoughts are going to bring!