Keeping a positive mind is not easy as there are times that you start cultivating negative thoughts in your thoughts. Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you need to ignore the unpleasant situation and look at unpleasantness more productively and positively. You will notice that a positive thinker or optimistic is always looking at the bright side. An optimistic person or positive thinker has a healthier body, less stress, and have overall well-being.
Base on positive psychology researcher Suzanne Segerstorm, several studies showing evidence pointing to many benefits of optimism and positive thinking. There are many health benefits that you can get from positive thoughts such as a longer lifespan, lower rates of depression, and levels of distress. One can stay away from the common cold, experience better psychological and physical well-being. It can also improve heart health and lessen death through better stress coping skills during hardship and time of distress.
1. Stress Relief
When dealing with stressful situations, positive thinking is the best way for you to cope up with the situation. According to several studies conducted by healthcare professionals, a positive thinker usually focus on the things they can do to resolve a problematic situation resulting in solutions. People with this type of mindset do not dwell on their frustration and focus on a plan of action and ask for any assistance or guidance. This kind of thinking can promote a stress-free environment.
2. Increased Life Span
A positive mind can increase prolong life and can influence good health more than just your mood. People with a positive mind or optimistic are successful in achieving their goal, usually more satisfied with their lives, and have better physical and mental health. Positive thinker usually lives longer because they always have a reason to live. According to a Dutch study published on JAMA Psychiatry, pessimistic disposition in life has 55% more likely to die during the nine-year follow-up period.
3. Greater Resistance to the Common Cold
Positive thinking can also boost immunity and have a greater resistance to common cold and flu. There is a completed study that has been published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Segerstorm investigated the connection between optimism and immunity. The study conducted in 124 incoming law students and they need to complete a questionnaire and immunity checks during the course of the study. The result shows that students with positive thinking have a greater cell-mediated immunity compared to pessimistic students that can harm the response of their immune cells. The study of Sergerstorm had proved that negativity may make you more vulnerable in different kinds of illness.
4. Lower Cholesterol
There are many ways now to lower cholesterol such as proper diet and exercise. However, having a positive mind or being optimistic can lower your cholesterol level. According to a study from Harvard School of Public Health found out that optimistic middle-aged participants from the study have higher levels of good cholesterol. Reading, walking, or going to a yoga session can give you a better mind and help you to fight negative thoughts.
5. Lessen Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease such as heart attack is the most common cause of death all over the globe. Positive thinking can lower the chance of developing heart disease. There is a study that has been published in the American Heart Association led by Hilary A. Tindle. She reported that people with higher levels of optimism had a 73% lower risk of heart failure and coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with those who are pessimistic.
6. Better Mental Health
Having a positive mind can help to reduce the risk of having mental problems like anxiety and depression. In general, they enjoy better psychological health compared to pessimistic people. Positive psychology for people experiencing mental problems such as depression is not a cure, but being optimistic can contribute to a healthy mind that can lessen their depression.
7. Better Physical Health
Positive psychology can promote healthy behaviors by doing regular exercise. There is a theory explaining why optimistic people tend to be healthier because they experience less stress or they easily cope up with stress. An optimist recovers faster from injuries and illnesses, and they have a better immune system.
