The Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinkers make the best out of a situation. They focus on what they can control and let go of what they can't control. Finding options to improve their situation is what they do very well. Thinking is correlated to emotions and both affect our brain chemistry and actions.

How to:

1. Focus on the good things.
2. Focus on what you can control.
3. Let go of what you can't control. 
4. Practice gratitude.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.
6. Practice positive self-talk.
7. Start your day with a positive affirmation
8. Write down what you are excited about every morning.
9. Practice reframing to improve your situation.
10. Turn failure into a lesson.
11. Identify your areas of negativity.

Benefit #1 Reduces Anxiety 

Every thought releases some type of chemical in the brain. Positive thoughts influence our serotonin levels. When serotonin levels are normal, we feel happy, calmer, less anxious. We can better focus and feel more emotionally stable.

Benefit #2 Better Health

When we have positive thoughts and feel happy, or optimistic, cortisol decreases and the brain produces serotonin, creating a feeling of well-being. 

There is a strong link between “positivity” and health. A positive attitude improves outcomes and life satisfaction across a spectrum of conditions—including traumatic brain injury, stroke and brain tumors.

Benefit #3 Better Problem Solving

Positive thinking heightens prefrontal brain activity, enhanced mental functions such as creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and even faster processing. The prefrontal cortex is the switching station that regulates the signals from the neurons as well as allows you to reflect and think about what you are doing at the time. It allows you to control your emotions through your deep limbic brain.

Negative thoughts draw precious metabolic energy away from the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Our response time is slower, memory is impaired and it is hard to focus and be creative.