Positive Thinking

Having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.

Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span

• Lower rates of depression

• Improved immunity

• Better psychological and physical well-being

• Better cardiovascular health

• Better coping skills during challenging times

Here are a few tips for thinking and behaving in a more positive way:

• Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you usually think negatively about. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way.

• Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.

• Smile at the little things. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.

• Keep moving. Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Exercise can positively affect mood and reduce stress and can be broken down into more manageable 10 minute chunks during the day.

• Eat well. Follow a healthy diet to fuel and nourish your mind and body.

• Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways.

• Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you. Focus on things you're thankful for in your life.