POSITIVE E

veryone knows sayings such as, “the power of positive thinking” or “think positive.” Most people understand that thinking positively creates a better mood, more energy, more confidence, and is contagious to the people we come into contact with. People who have a positive attitude seem to have better luck than people with a more negative outlook. It is believed that those who keep their thoughts and attitude positive have more positive things happen to them. They do well while interviewing for jobs, they tend to become more successful, and they seem to be happier overall. Others seem to be drawn to these types of people. But is there really power in positive thinking?

There are stories of people who practice positive thinking that believe they lived through a tragedy or beat cancer because of their thoughts and positive outlook on life. Many doctors try to disprove this, be more successful, have confidence, and believe more in themselves. When they are more successful, they are happier. When they are happier, they are less stressed or are able to cope with stress more effectively than someone who thinks negatively. When people are less stressed, it does affect their health positively. Studies show that people who are less stressed have a stronger immune system, are less likely to have a heart attack or heart disease, have a higher opportunity to live a longer life, are less likely to become depressed, and have a better overall well-being.

So, not only will we become happier and have a higher chance of success with a positive attitude, but we may become healthier as well. Although positive thinking may not be a magic pill you take to make everything better and does require some effort, it sounds like a win-win situation. Those who practice positive thinking not only have positive thoughts, they actually transform negative thinking into positivity. When a negative thought pops into their head, they will consciously find something positive in that thought and change it around. Eventually, all their thoughts automatically become positive. Positive thoughts can help control depression, anger, and selfdoubt among other things. They also practice ‘positive affirmations’, which is positive self-talk.

Maybe the ‘power’ in positive thinking is not the kind of power some are looking for. It may not be a groundbreaking cure to disease, or a guarantee for success, but it can make living life a little easier, happier, healthier, and even more successful. It definitely seems worth being more positive to get these types of results.