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Powering Up Your Positive Thinking

By Nicole Teague, CIGNA Behavioral Health

Most of us have felt it at one time or another - the feeling as though we are on top of the world and absolutely nothing can knock us down. We feel energized. Nothing can go wrong in our perfect world and the future can't be anything other than bright. Some of us experience this zest for life more than others. Those who do feel it more often tend to be more optimistic in nature, and typically view the world around them in a positive light. What makes a positive thinker?

Positive thinkers are people who look at a glass as half-full rather than half-empty. They look on the bright side of life. They see the good in the bad. They are confident in their abilities and the abilities of others around them. They always seem to have a smile on their face and walk with an extra beat in their step.

However, positive thinking is not about hiding negative emotions and putting on a happy face to mask what is really being felt. Of course, we all have negative experiences, which sometimes we simply cannot escape no matter how hard we may try. The positive thinker will deal with the unpleasant situation as needed, and then attempt to move on successfully after experiencing it, all the while viewing the situation from a realistic standpoint.

Why should I think positively?

There are many ways that thinking positively can help you.

It could help you live longer. Those who think positively not only have better immune system function, but they also are able to both mentally and physically cope better with illness or disease (Anderson, n.d.).
It can help you deal with daily life, and when problems arise, by providing a sense of stress relief.
It can make you feel better. Instead of sitting back and feeling defeated when life throws you curves, taking control of your situation by thinking positively can help you to take charge of how you feel. Much of the negativity that you may usually carry around with you may be erased.
It's contagious! Adopting an optimistic outlook will not only make you feel better, but may also make those around you feel better as well.
Others will respond to you differently. When you are in a good mood, those around you notice it. Give it a try sometime�take notice of how you are treated differently if you have a positive attitude versus a negative one.
You may find more opportunities to be successful because you aren't stuck in a negative mind-set, and you may notice possibilities that you hadn't thought of before.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln

How to think positively

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. For example, "It's hopeless" may be replaced with "I have the power to control how I handle this situation, and I choose to...".
Look for the good. Many times situations that are seemingly negative turn out to be blessings in disguise.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Use positive words. Use phrases such as "I will" and "I can", and you just may find yourself believing them.
Believe. Believe in yourself and in the power you have to deal with, and overcome, your situation.
Visualize. Picture yourself successfully dealing with a situation in a positive way.
Smile until you mean it. When you are feeling particularly negative, smiling can do wonders for your mood. If you stick with it and keep smiling no matter how bad you may be feeling, eventually your smile will take over.
Be realistic. Try to see the situation from a realistic viewpoint. Ask yourself how long the situation is truly going to last. Look for examples of times you have been in a similar situation and have gotten through it.
Just as others react differently to you when you have a positive outlook, they will react differently to you when you have a negative attitude. This may only add to your negativity. Forcing yourself to remain optimistic will cause others to react to you in a more positive way, and in turn, have a positive effect on you.
Exercise, Keeping fit and using relaxation techniques can keep you calm and help keep the positive thoughts flowing.

Thinking positively may take some work, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Just give it a try - take one day and commit to thinking nothing but positive thoughts. Try to find the silver lining in each and every cloud. You just may find yourself walking on the sunny side of the street!

References: Anderson, Norman B. (n.d.). Emotional Longevity: A new approach may identify what really determines how long we live. Retrieved December 2, 2005 from http://www.gwsae.org/executiveupdate/2005/June/hp.htm

This material is provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. for informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical/clinical advice. Only a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan.