The importance of a positive mindset

Much has been said about the power of positive thinking. One of the commonest responses one hears, even during the most difficult times, is that one should “stay positive.” This applies to both specific situations as well as for an individual’s long-term outlook.

Let’s see why this way of thinking is regarded as being so important.

Thinking positive gets you going

When going for a run, they say the most important part is to take those first steps out the door. Having a positive mindset helps you set your sights on the things you want to do. This then actually gets you to take the steps needed to accomplish your goals. On the flip side, negative thoughts will hinder your progress, with the result that sometimes you might not even get down to making a start.

Facilitates coping

In life, we have to deal with a wide variety of situations that continuously test our character. It would be great if we could always react with the proper measured response to failure, or disappointment. With a positive mindset it is certainly easier to achieve this. Approaching each situation this way, we have a much better chance of coping with the unforeseen changes and problems that inevitably come our way. That’s because framing things in a positive way allows us to make meaningful life choices.

Leads to better physical health

Some heart-warming news comes from a study by medical experts at Johns Hopkins Medical. They showed that  people who had a more positive outlook were at far less risk of suffering a heart attack than those with a negative mindset. This was the case even when there was a pre-existing family history of heart disease.

Being able to focus on the positive helps reduce stress considerably, especially in day-to-day scenarios. In addition, this kind of mindset helps boost our immune response. While the link between positive thinking and health is hard to quantify, it is abundantly clear that there definitely is a strong connection.

Healthier relationships with people

Our mindset also affects how we deal with others. If we have a negative view on all things, it can be tough to place our trust in people or to even just communicate well with them. This doesn’t mean you need to be too trusting or never think ill of people, but being able to give them the benefit of the doubt allows us to open up and be more receptive. With a positive outlook, it also becomes more likely that you attract like-minded people who share the same outlook and approach to life that you do.

Helps us meet our goals and solve problems

Positivity allows us to better focus on achieving our goals. The result is that we are often more easily able to find solutions to our problems. Being able to grow in this manner and gradually reach milestones leads to an affirmation that we are on the right track, making us feel better about ourselves. It reinforces our positive self-perception and helps develop even more positive thinking patterns and responses.

It’s not always easy to maintain a positive outlook in life, especially considering the recent pandemic we’ve all been through, faced with  factors that seem out of our control. Still, with a firm focus and lots of practice, one can maintain a more positive viewpoint on things and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.