The health benefits of positive thinking are widely recorded, and research has concluded that positive thinkers are much more likely to be able to cope with stress, have stronger natural immune systems, and are also more likely to have lower risks of cardiovascular problems. However, it can be difficult to make the lifestyle changes that lead to more positive thinking. For some people, the behavioural changes and mindset can be difficult to achieve; a quick Google search will bring up a wealth of information, some of it contradictory. As such, our expert Psychologist, Joanna Konstantopoulou at the Health Psychology Clinic has created a short guide on how to think more positively, allowing you to benefit from all of the positive health effects.
Avoid negative self-talk
Also known as your internal monologue, self-talk refers to the things you mentally tell yourself throughout the day. If your inner voice centres around negative thoughts and putting yourself and your abilities down, this will impact on your self-esteem, confidence and general mindset.
In order to actively change them, it is good practice to firstly recognise when these thoughts occur. Once you realise you have had a negative thought, take a moment to pause and then compliment yourself in the same area. By retraining your inner monologue to give compliments, you can work to break this negative habit.
Think like an optimist
Optimists have a positive outlook, with this mindset filtering into all aspects of their lives, including work, exercise and relationships. By actively thinking about the positive aspects of your daily routine you can work on giving yourself the credit you really deserve, subsequently improving your mental health. Again, it takes practice and effort to recognise pessimistic thoughts and seek to change them, but the benefits are well worth the time invested.
Get help from a professional
Retraining your mind and well-established thought patterns can be extremely difficult. It presents a steep learning curve, and it may be easy to lose motivation. By having a trained professional to offer guidance and assistance, you can be assured that you are using the most effective techniques that are suitable for you. Professionals will not only offer support and guidance but can also help to establish the most difficult parts of positive thinking in your specific situation, creating strategies to make you a positive thinker in as little time as possible.
