The Power of Positive Thinking

According to the Mayo Health clinic, current research has shown that positve thinking can have many benefits including;

• increased life span

• lower rates of depression and anxiety

• greater resistance to the common cold

• reduced risk of cardiovasular disease

• ​better coping skills during hard times

The Buddha said “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.” Sound simple? Positive thinking can actually be a very difficult habit to form for those of us who were not blessed with an optimistic personality. Positive thinking does not mean we need to ignore unpleasant situations or feelings or brush over serious problems. Positive thinking is a way to be fully present and approach problems in a more productive way.

Just like a garden needs sunshine, water and clean air to grow healthy plants; the mind needs positive messages and self-compassion to grow and flourish. Negative self-talk such as blaming, catastrophizing or personalizing can be like poison for the mind. These are ways of thinking that encourage negative emotions and are many times not even true. By noticing these “cognitive distortions” you can learn to be aware of your negative thinking patterns and apply positve self-talk.

Positive self-talk statements include:

• I can, I will and I am able
• This is just a setback and I can keep trying
• I can get through this
• I can get this done now
• I can always learn from my mistakes
• I can do this, I got this!
• I am in charge of my own feelings and actions
• I cannot change other people’s minds
• I have many good qualities (list them)

What positive self-talk statements help you get through your day?