We all face negative thoughts. 

When things don’t happen as we expect is normal to complain and feel that life is unfair.

Is normal to feel upset now and then, however, the problem with poorly managed emotions is that they can have a negative impact on both your emotional and physical health. 

The Impact of Negative Thinking 

Between a global pandemic, constant bad news, and overall hard happenings around us, it can be hard to keep a positive mindset. 

According to recent studies, negative thoughts, which often include negative self-talk and ruminating on negative situations or encounters can be detrimental to your overall health and well-being. 

Breaking The Cycle of Negative Mindset

Keeping track of your mental status and your patterns of thinking can be complicated. However, it is possible to train your brain to switch from negative to positive. 

Here are a few ways to start transitioning away from negative thoughts and emotions:

  • Recognize the issue: Learning to identify the problem is the first step towards changing the approach.
  • Modify negative habits: Eating healthier, working out, and investing time in your happiness will directly pay off on a feeling of wellbeing.
  • Disconnect from bad people/influences: Recognize those who drain your positivity and connect with those who recharge you. 
  • Eliminate negative self-talk: When you catch yourself having catastrophic thoughts stop yourself, change the channel and focus on a positive outcome.
  • Unplug: Staying alert on the news and global situations can become overwhelming. A good way to fight this is to simply unplug from media and enjoy the present time. 

The Importance of Positive Thinking 

A positive mindset goes far beyond thinking unicorns and flowers. Positive thinking also gives us the ability to become more resilient in times of hardship, while enables us to thrive amid difficult situations.

Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Some studies show that personality traits such as optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being.

The positive thinking that usually comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management.

How to Think Positive Thoughts

Thinking positively can be achieved through different techniques that include positive self-talk and positive focus.

 Here are some tips to get you started that can help you train your brain how to think positively: 

 Focus on the Good: No matter how bad the situation around you is, there is always something positive to look for. The simple fact that you are breathing is something to be grateful for.

 Be Grateful: It’s always easy to take what we have for granted and assume that everybody has it better than us. This kind of mentality disconnects from the good things that we have. 

 Find Humor: Get around people that make you laugh or watch a funny movie, laughing is crucial to help you relax. 

Be Kind to Yourself: It’s easy to find things that you don’t like about yourself. According to studies, the average woman criticizes herself an average of 8 times a day. A good way to stop this is to focus on the very things that we enjoy about ourselves and speak that out loud. Recognizing your qualities is a powerful way to have a positive mindset and increasing your self-esteem.

Do Something Fun: When was the last time that you did something you truly enjoy? Dancing, fishing, painting, gardening? Many times we feel pessimistic because we haven’t done anything fun/enjoyable in a long time. Making time to practice an activity that is pleasant for you is key not only to your positivity but to your mental health. 

Remember, you won’t be able to undo years of pessimism and negative thoughts overnight, but with some practice, you can learn how to approach things with a more positive outlook.

At Rehealth, we believe that having informed patients is the only way to deliver optimal healthcare. Visit our website to find out more interesting content and be a part of an amazing health integrated community!

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Michelle Ibarra