Right thoughts can work miracles

Clinical studies performed by the Mayo Clinic in the United States have provided statistical data and solid proof that optimists (people with positive attitudes and thinking patterns) outlive pessimists (those who have a negative outlook).

What the test found was that positive thinkers enjoyed health benefits such as:

• • Decreased stress

• • Greater resistance to colds and viral infections

• • An increased overall sense of well being and good health

• • Reduced risk of heart disease

• • Improved breathing

• • Lower cases of emphysema

• • Better coping and reduced stress in pregnant women

• • Living longer

• • Better problem solving and life coping skills.

To become a positive thinker you need to watch your “self-talk”, that is, the endless stream of thoughts that flow through your head. To enjoy the benefits of positive thinking, pessimists need to form a habit of looking at things in a positive new light and see the good in most situations. Once the point is reached where it becomes a habit, it will become natural to have a more positive attitude and outlook on life.

Positive thinking tips

• • See the glass as being half full, not half empty.

• • When something bad happens, do not personalise it and automatically blame yourself.

• • Don’t see things as only good or bad, black or white. People with this mindset often feel that if they are not perfect then they are a total failure.

• • See things you’ve never done as an opportunity to learn something new.

Instead of seeing something as “good enough”, recognise that there’s always room for improvement.

• • Instead of thinking you won’t get any better than you are at something, give it one more try and attempt to improve.

• • Instead of thinking “I never have enough time”, list and re-evaluate your priorities and focus only on the few that are most important to you.

• • Above all, try to meet your goals, but if you are unable to do so, understand that it is not the end of the world.