Are you a positive thinker? I know I’m not. Well, that was until I shifted my perception of positivity.
I always disliked it when people told me to “look at things from the bright side” or “think positive thoughts and good things will happen to you”. I especially hated it when I was told to “not be such a grumpy”. Well, guess what, Karen, I have a reason to be.
I used to live a life full of fear. Because lack of positivity is essentially fear. Fear of not being good enough, fear of what might happen, fear of rejection…the list goes on.
But then, one day, I was so sick of feeling afraid that I decided to put an end to it.
So the first thing I did was make a list of all the good things in my life. To my surprise, the list was super long. “Does that mean I have all these things, but I choose to focus on everything I don’t have?” – I thought to myself. That’s when I realized I was actually being ungrateful.
Therefore, I started practicing gratitude on a daily basis. Every night before, I went to sleep, and every morning right after I woke up, I was reading that list. And trust me when I tell you this made a world of difference.
But while there were still some challenges in my life, I started viewing them from a whole different perspective. The mantra I was going with was, “What’s the worst that could happen?”. Usually, the answer wasn’t so dramatic.
Now I’m an advocate for a positive mindset. And I’ve learned a lot during my journey. In this article, you will find out what the benefits of having a positive mindset are. It is a great start to changing the way you experience your own life and ultimately, changing it for the better.
So if you’re also living a life full of fear and negativity, use this piece as a guide. And who knows, maybe you’ll wake up one day and not feel afraid at all.
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Inside Of My Happiness | Journal for Living an Intentional Life
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What Is A Positive Mindset?
Contrary to what you may believe positive mindset isn’t about smiling all the time or looking cheerful. It’s much deeper than that. Positivity is a lifestyle. It’s about the overall perspective on life and the ability to focus on all that is good.
Positive thinking is an attitude that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results.
People with such a mindset approach life’s challenges with a positive outlook. But that doesn’t mean they avoid or ignore the bad things. Instead, they choose to make the most of a potentially bad situation by trying to see the best in people and viewing situations in a positive light.
Simply put, having a positive mindset means making positive thinking a habit while constantly searching for the silver lining.
But why should you shift your mindset to a positive one? How does that change your life? Let’s find out.
What Does A Positive Mindset Give You?
Shifting your mindset can change your life in any aspect.
You will become more optimistic, willing to make an effort and take a chance instead of assuming your hard work won’t pay off. You will also notice that you’re becoming more accepting of yourself. You will start acknowledging the things that don’t turn out how you expect them to, but instead of focusing on your mistakes, you will learn from them.
By adopting a positive mindset, you will also become more resilient. You will bounce back from adversity, disappointment, and failure instead of giving up. You will consciously start appreciating the good things in your life, leading to a more mindful one.
Finally, instead of being self-serving and deceitful, you will start to do things with integrity, adapting the trait of being honorable, righteous, and straightforward.
But how does positive thinking affect the brain on a purely chemical level? Every thought we have impacts the release of chemicals in the brain. Therefore, when we think positively, this allows our bodies to release hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
This all sounds great, and you might think that you’re already doing those things. But are you? How do you know you have a positive mindset? And what are the differences between that and a negative one? We’ll explore both concepts in more detail below.
Positive Mindset VS Negative Mindset
Most people already know if they’re positive or negative thinkers. But in case you’re not sure, here are the main differences.
People with a positive mindset achieve growth, self-acceptance, and improved quality of life. In the long term, positive people are perceived as non-judgemental, kind, forgiving, and empathetic. Regardless of the circumstances, they’re able to see the good in a situation.
On the other hand, negativity is the polar opposite. A negative mindset is one that dwells on a pessimistic way of thinking. It includes negative viewpoints, feelings, and attitudes. If you often feel worried, doomed, and rejected, you likely choose to see things from a negative perspective. Being harsh on yourself and criticizing your choices, emotions, and feelings is also related to a negative mindset.
Having a negative mindset could be dangerous in the long term. You might start experiencing a lack of motivation, poor self-acceptance, and overall reduced quality of life. Pessimistic people also find it hard to reach their goals, and when they finally do, they can’t seem to enjoy the rush of satisfaction as much.
But having a negative mindset doesn’t mean you’re doomed forever. You can still choose to shift your perception and start enjoying the benefits of positive thinking. I know I did. So is your glass half-empty or half-full?
7 Biggest Benefits Of A Positive Mindset
And if you’re still not convinced that you need to change, here are some benefits of a positive mindset that might change your mind.
1. Increases chances of success
As we already mentioned, positivity is directly related to happiness. And psychologists suggest that “happy brains are smart brains”. So while negativity narrows our brains, a positive mindset helps us to respond to threads in a healthy way. It opens up our brains and broadens the range of ideas that come to mind.
Positive people are also more creative, know how to react to stressful situations in a healthier way, and make better decisions. That’s why success is also directly related to positivity.
2. Increases lifespan
A 2019 study found that positive thinking can result in an 11–15% longer lifespan. The results suggest that positive thinking about aging can increase a person’s will to live. This makes positive thinkers more resilient to illness and more proactive about health.
3. Charges you with energy
Positive thinking is also associated with a boost of the immune system. Evergy levels are influenced by overall health. Also, the more positively you think, the more motivated you are to complete all your tasks. If you have high levels of motivation, chances are you’re also pretty energetic as well.
4. Reduces stress levels
Positive thinking helps with stress management. This shouldn’t be a surprise. If you learn how to think more positively and cut the negative self-talk, you will quickly notice a change in your stress levels. When your mindset is positive, you handle everyday stress more constructively.
5. Brings more confidence
If you’re like me and find it difficult to have self-confidence then this benefit of a positive mindset can help you overcome that.
We live in a world full of judgments, standards, and expectations. These factors affect our self-confidence especially if we have a hard time accepting ourselves. Therefore, if you manage to shift your mindset to a positive one you’ll increase your self-confidence.
6. Improves your sleep
A good night’s sleep can do wonders for how we feel the next day. At the same time, a bad night’s sleep can negatively impact how our brain functions and how we process emotions.
A 2021 research found out that there’s a direct correlation between positive thinking and better sleep quality. People who tend to think positively are also the ones who sleep better. And people who are consummate by negative emotions find it hard to fall asleep and when they do they wake up several times during the night.
Therefore, it’s only logical to conclude that by shifting your mindset, you can improve your sleep quality. So if you’re having troubles with sleep and you’re unsure what the cause of it is, then take a second look at how to perceive things.
7. Lowers your chances of depression and anxiety
Studies have shown that positive thinking helps people manage mental illness and eases depression. The interesting thing was that the results stayed the same regardless of whether they are naturally optimistic or pessimistic. So by thinking positively you can literally lower your chances for depression and anxiety.
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Final Thoughts
Thinking positively is one of those “easier said than done” types of behaviors, but here’s my secret to making it happen: one day at a time.
I know, I didn’t surprise you too much but think about it this way… All you need to do is to work on your mindset right now. No need to worry about how positive your thinking was yesterday and no need to scold yourself for the negative way you reacted to the world yesterday. Today is all you have and ultimately, the only day that that truly matters.
I suggest you reach for gratitude and daily appreciation of everything you have as a starting point, and the rest is just practice and time.
Inside Of My Happiness Journal
Inside Of My Happiness | Journal for Living an Intentional Life
Scared of journaling?
Journaling has so many benefits, and you've always wanted to stick to it but never did. It looks and sounds complicated. You think that there are some rules you know nothing of and can't see the magic everyone talks of.
Inside of My Happiness is your go-to journal for the morning and the evening. Get inspired in the mornings, reflect on yourself in the evening. As simple as that.
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7 Secret Benefits Of Having a Positive Mindset
Blogger, dreamer, procrastinator, and lover of everything soul-touching. My mission is to make you laugh, provoke your thoughts, light up your day and inspire you to fall in love with life and yourself.
