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The Power of positive thinking for your Health

Is your glass half-empty or half full? How you answer this “outlook on life” question may also reflect the attitude you have toward yourself. According to the human psychology, whether you are typically optimistic or pessimistic may even affect your health. Here is some information about the power of positive thinking.

Often, the biggest challenge when it comes to getting fit and healthy is our mindset. Positive thinking is the key to reaching your optimal performance and fitness level. Keeping these benefits in mind may help you see the brighter side of life more often.

Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Greater resistance to illness
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

If you are a natural pessimist, what can you do? You can train your brain to think yourself as fit. Here are some simple steps to follow:

Picture Success

Picture the outcome that you want to achieve. Whether you are training to lose a few pounds or run some Kms, creating a mental picture for success is what will get you to your goal.

Help your brain to focus on what success looks like. It’s like a dress rehearsal for your goals. The more you practice, the more your mind will believe it to be true. Try to make your thoughts about success as clear as possible. Imagine every step of the way. This is a great way to prepare for the pressure that may come when taking on a new challenge.

Think Small

Setting a huge goal can set you up to fail. Take training for a marathon as an example. This is a huge task. One that can be overwhelming if you think about it in its entirety. If you break it down into more manageable goals, the finish line becomes more attainable. When out for a run, you might picture a landmark that you want to reach as your next goal. Once you reach that spot, picture the next landmark you want to reach and so on.

Like a marathon, completely changing what you eat may seem impossible. Little changes can make a big difference. For example, eat a piece of fruit each day instead of a bag of chips. Swapping out a few items is much easier than trying to take it all on at once.Over time, small changes will come to equal progress in your quest to eat healthier. According to a study conducted at Northwestern University, small changes can result in a domino effect on other health-related habits.

Meditate

Meditation has long been practiced in our country. Scientists are looking into the power of meditation in our fast-paced lives. Meditation can be a key element in achieving your goals. Picture yourself in a beautiful place. Taking your mind to someplace quiet and peaceful can help you stay calm and focused.

Focusing on positive thinking

You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. It takes practice, but its well worth the effort. Here are some ways to think in a more positive way:

Identify areas to change. Identify areas of your life that you typically have negative thoughts. Is it at work or perhaps a relationship? Start small and focus on one area to approach in a more positive way.

Check yourself. Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you’re thinking. If you notice that your thoughts have been negative, try to find a way to focus on something positive.

Be open to humour. When you were having a bad day, find a good joke on the internet or share some joke with your colleagues. Laughter helps lighten the mood and minimize feelings of stress and negativity.

Surround yourself with positive people. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt yourself. Keep positive, supportive people in your life that you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback.

Practice positive self-talk. Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be kind and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought comes up, try to respond with affirmations of what is good about you.

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