We can’t dwell on the negative.
Many of us have had the tendency to think about all the negative things this past nine months. What we have missed. What we have lost. What went wrong.
That’s not to say that we should ignore those things. You may still need to genuinely grieve that which will no longer be a part of your life or the significant changes you did not expect. That’s normal.
Finding the positive in your life benefits the body and mind.
Positivity reduces stress.
The Very Well Mind website says this about people who focus on the positive: “Rather than dwelling on their frustrations or things that they cannot change, they will devise a plan of action and ask others for assistance and advice. Pessimists, on the other hand, simply assume that the situation is out of their control, and there is nothing they can do to change it.”
This article from the Mayo Clinic gives excellent advice on stopping negative self-talk, reducing stress and improving health.
Positivity can increase immunity.
Research has shown that people who were optimistic about a specific and essential part of their lives, such as how well they were doing in school, exhibited a stronger immune response than those who had a more negative view of the situation. With COVID, the strong the immune system, the better!
Improved wellness
Positive thinking can often lead to healthier lifestyles, which in turn improves health and well-being. John Hopkins reports 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. Additional studies have found that a positive attitude improves outcomes and life satisfaction across various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and brain tumors.
WebMD lists other physical benefits of optimism, such as a longer life span, lower blood pressure, and better pain tolerance.
Better resilience
It is often shown that resilient people can face crises with more strength and resolve, with a better ability to carry on.
We can be better resilient by learning to adapt in stressful situations. Maintaining good relationships with family and friends, accepting change as a part of life, and taking action on problems rather than just hoping they will go away or resolve their own also helps build resiliency.
What are some things that you do to maintain positivity in your life?
3 responses to “How Counting Your Blessings Can Lead to a More Positive, Healthier Life”
Even if I'm down, I try to find at least a few positive things. I know it helps with stress and overall wellness. Can't dwell on the negative, think positive!
Angie, yes! Positivity is the way to live an enjoyable life. What a great job you've done of pulling together the range of benefits of positivity!
Those are great examples of the power of positivity! I didn't know that it increased immunity, though. You're right – we all need that, right now.