These days, it seems that every time we turn on the TV or social media, there’s a natural disaster, school shooting, or political crisis dividing our country along party lines. Being bombarded with this information daily can lead to feelings of depression and negativity. These negative feelings can take a toll on our mental health as well as our physical health. However, studies from Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic have proven that positive thinking can actually improve your health.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic list the following health benefits of positive thinking:
-Increased life span
-Lower rates of depression
-Lower levels of stress
-Greater resistance to the common cold
-Better psychological and physical well-being
-Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
-Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
For myself, I am a little overwhelmed by overly happy, always perky, and positive people. But in these trying times, if I don’t try to practice positive thinking, I might end up “dropping my basket” (as we Southerners say) and finding myself in a nice, quiet “retreat” where I do paint-by-numbers in a bathrobe next to my new friend, Bob. So, I googled steps on how to practice more positive thinking. Larry Alton, a professional blogger, writer, and researcher, listed the following seven steps:
Start the day with a positive affirmation
When I think of this step, I’m reminded of Al Franken’s character on Saturday Night Live, Stuart Smalley, who had the “Daily Affirmations” segment. He would sit in front of a mirror and say, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!” Even though that seemed silly in the past, these days, it may just help. I’m still working on this, but I do congratulate myself for getting out of bed and making coffee. So, that’s a start.
Focus on the good things, however small
We all face obstacles during our day. For most of us, it’s things like traffic. I used to live in Atlanta, so I am very familiar with traffic! However, when stuck in traffic, I try to relish the fact that I get to listen to the CD I’m playing (yes, I have a CD player) just a little longer. Music makes me happy, and I rarely get to listen to it elsewhere, so this is a positive thing for me.
Find humor in bad situations
This is very important. I try to find humor in my daily routine. In the times of COVID-19, with many people displaced and scared, I tried to find some humor in it. For instance, by the time we can reunite with our coworkers, friends, and family, my hair and nails will probably look like I was attacked by seagulls.
Turn failures into lessons
We are not perfect. We are not pizza. Therefore, we all will face failure at some point. I plan fundraising events. Some events turn out well, some do not. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of an event that didn’t go as planned, I try to focus on how I can make it better next time.
Transform negative self-talk into positive self-talk
This is easier said than done. We all tend to think negative thoughts to ourselves. I try to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. For example, instead of saying, “You can’t cook that recipe; there are too many ingredients!” I say to myself, “How fun will it be to taste and try something new?” There is a learning curve, but with practice, it will get easier.
Focus on the present
I tend to focus on past events or the impending future when faced with a challenge or obstacle. The trick is to learn to focus on the moment “right now” and try to turn it into a positive instead of a negative. It is difficult to be homebound at this time, but now I have time to catch up on my reading.
Find positive friends, mentors, and coworkers
Have you ever been around someone, and after your visit, you have no energy? I have experienced many people like that in my life, and I had to decide not to be around them anymore. If you surround yourself with positive people, they can share their experiences and attitudes with you, affecting how you see life.
So, if you practice these seven steps in your own life on a daily basis, you can improve your positive outlook and become a healthier you. Take that walk on the beach, read a good book, eat the cake, dance in the rain, and most of all, SMILE.
Written by: Cecily Dupree
