Summary:
- What is a positive mindset?
- Why is positive thinking important?
- Benefits of positive thinking
- How to develop a positive mindset?
With the COVID situation still at our doorstep, being positive is not good news at all. We all want negative reports and are eager to get news of the slowing positivity rate.
But let’s not look at COVID. Let’s put the bad news all behind us and think positive from now on. After all, being positive in life is what finally measures your success.
So what is a positive mindset? A positive mindset or a positive attitude is a state of the mind that always foresees favourable outcomes.
It is pertinent to note that having a positive mindset does not always mean that the outcomes or results will be favourable.
Positive attitude just ensures that, even if you fail, you can move past all the obstacles and rise again. Things turn out the best for people, who make the best of the way things turn out.
Take for example the classic instance of whether your class is half full or half empty. What would your answer to this question be?
Here is where you can test if you are a positive person or a negative thinker. A person with a positive mindset and outlook may think that the glass is half full and not half empty.
There are innumerable reasons why positive thinking is important. For one, it is essential for joy and success in life.
Not only for students, but for working professionals, homemakers, and all genres of people. A positive mindset has countless advantages.
A positive attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Remember, you can not stop the wave but you can learn to surf.
7 Extraordinary Benefits of Positive Thinking
Here, we have condensed the numerous benefits of positive thinking to make for light and easy reading. Also, don’t forget to read this article with a positive mindset.
1. A Positive Attitude for Better Health
A research conducted by Lisa Yenek, Assistant Professor of Medicine, John Hopkins Medicine, concluded that people with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook.
The same research also stated people with family history who had the most risk factors for coronary artery disease, and positive people from the general population were 13 percent less likely than their negative counterparts to have a heart attack or other coronary event.
Believe it or not but research has also shown the relationship between positive emotions and the susceptibility to the common cold.
In this experiment a group of healthy adults who fitted two different criteria of positive emotions such as happy, pleased, lively, and relaxed, and negative emotions such as depressed, anxious, and hostile, were exposed to rhinoviruses through nasal drops and monitored in quarantine for the development of the common cold.
The researchers found that higher positive emotional experiences were related to lower risk of developing a cold and fewer reports of symptoms, while negative emotional experiences were not significantly related to catching a cold, but associated with reports of more symptoms.
In short, this study showed that experiencing positive emotions was linked to greater resistance to developing the common cold.
2. Increased Life Span
One of the reasons why positive thinking is important is because it is directly proportional to the quantity of life.
As discussed above, a positive mindset leads to a healthier life. A healthier life means that the lifespan also increases.
A research article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America suggests that optimism is specifically related to 11 to 15% longer life span, on average, and to greater odds of achieving “exceptional longevity,” that is, living to the age of 85 or beyond.
3. Better Problem Solving Skills
People with a positive mindset are better at problem solving. This is because they are calm and composed while making decisions.
Positive thinkers always think that the results will be favourable and hence are cool and unruffled while making decisions.
4. Positive Thinkers Have More Energy
It is scientifically proven that positive thinkers have more energy than negative thinkers. People with a positive mindset are usually happy and energetic at all times.
When you are happy, the body releases hormones called endorphins which give you more energy.
A research article published in Forbes, stated that happy people have more energy and are more productive too.
The happiest employees are 180% more energized than their less content colleagues, 155% happier with their jobs, 150% happier with life, 108% more engaged and 50% more motivated. Most staggeringly, they are 50% more productive too.”
The least happy workers reported spending 40% of their week doing what they’re there to do, compared with happy workers, who reported spending 80% of their week on work-related tasks.
This means they are putting in only two days a week of real work, while their happiest colleagues are doing four.
You May Also Like The 14 Best Productivity Apps for Students
5. Positivity for A Stress Free Life
The importance of a positive attitude in life is the most important when it comes to eliminating stress. Positive thinkers are generally happy and more confident because they think only favourably.
The very fact that you have eliminated negative thoughts is half the battle won. Stress is an emotional state caused by adverse conditions.
However, thinking positive can eliminate this stress and thereby pave the way for favourable outcomes. Always remember that every storm runs out of water.
6. Positive Attitude to Build a Positive Aura
Have you ever heard of people saying that if you think good, then good will happen or vice versa. Here, they speak of something called aura.
Aura means a particular personal atmosphere created by a person, place or thing. When you create a positive aura for yourself you tend to spread this aura to others around you.
This aura you emit can be seen at all times. If you are a student or a working professional, the attitude of others towards you is a direct consequence of your aura.
If you show a negative attitude and thinking at your workplace, the same attitude will be shown to you in return. It is nothing but the law of the land. In other words, you shall reap what you sow.
7. A Positive Mindset to Boost Your Confidence
The importance of developing a positive attitude is evident when it comes to boosting your confidence, belief and faith.
Always thinking happy and positive thoughts will eliminate negativity and dissenting thoughts. With a positive attitude just about anything is possible.
With all the benefits of positive thinking, we must also know how to develop a positive mindset and take advantage of the benefits it has to offer.
7 Fantastic Ways to Develop a Positive Mindset
Before we get into the different ways of how to develop a positive mindset, you must be clear in understanding the real and true meaning of a positive mindset of positive attitude.
A positive mindset –
- Doesn’t mean that nothing will go wrong.
- It does not mean that you must be happy at all times
- Positive attitude does not mean that your life must be perfect
A positive mindset-
- Means you can spring up back immediately from any failure
- A positive attitude means you will be calm and composed in chaotic times
- It also means that you are willing to succeed in life
1. Meditation
One of the ways of how to keep a positive mind is to follow a routine of meditation. Meditation is a mind and body exercise that introduces calmness and relaxation for the mind and body.
The practice of meditation relaxes the mind by eliminating the thought process. All negative thoughts are shut out during the time of meditation. Thereby keeping the mind and body in a state of calm.
2. Surround Yourself with Like Minded Positive Thinkers
As mentioned above, developing a positive aura transfers this positivity to others around you.
Likewise, surrounding yourself with positive people also allows you to absorb their positive aura. Remember, positivity is contagious.
3. Think only Good Thoughts
The best example here is when you are going to do something that is often considered risky by the general public, like say for example skydiving, the first thing that comes to your mind is what if the rope snaps or the parachute does not deploy.
These negative thoughts may play havoc on your mind. The best advice is to shut these thoughts immediately and overshadow them with the power of positive thoughts like the thought that you’re going to have the most thrilling experience of a lifetime or that you will be attempting something so unique and joyful.
4. Be Thankful
One of the first ways of how to develop a positive mindset is to be thankful and grateful for whatever you have. This attitude can go a long way in suppressing negative feelings
5. Humour Is the Best Medicine
To reduce stress in life, the best medicine is a bit of comedy. Nothing better than a good laugh to cheer you up. Watch your favourite comedy show on TV or read a good joke book.
It has been scientifically proven that laughter reduces stress levels to a great extent.
Use your smile to change the world, Don’t let the world change your smile.
6. Engage in Motivational Therapy
Listening to motivational speakers and your idols can go a long way in developing a positive mindset. You can join a group therapy class or log in online to find the best talks from motivational speakers and experienced people.
TED Talks is an example of inspirational talks and videos you can use to your benefit.
7. Keep Everything Around You Positive
Your surroundings play an important role in how to develop a positive mindset. Keep your workspace and home space clutter free and neat.
Getting up to a clean room and home will work wonders on your mind. Keep small motivational notes at prominent spaces in your surroundings. A positive attitude can change a storm into a sprinkle.
Conclusion
Always remember that a positive mindset has power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.
The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.
You May Also Like Creative Thinking Skills
