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Scientists are learning that positive thinking may be good for your health. Benefits of positive thinking may include:
- Longer life
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower risk of death from heart disease
- Lower risk of stroke
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better ability to cope with stress
How Does Positive Thinking Work?
Scientists don’t yet know for sure why positive thinking has health benefits. One theory is that people who think positively tend to live healthier lifestyles: they get more physical activity, eat a healthier diet, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess. Another theory has to do with stress. Stress has harmful effects on your body, and people with a negative attitude often report more stress than those with a positive attitude. So it may be that positive thinking reduces stress and thus reduces the damage stress can do.
How to Reduce Stress
You can reduce stress by following these tips:
- Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, and exercise regularly.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Connect with others, such as by spending time with friends and family or joining an organization.
- Laugh — read a joke or watch a comedy. Laughter really is great medicine.
- Engage in a hobby like reading, painting, or listening to music.
- Allow yourself to be less than perfect.
How to Practice Positive Thinking
When you fi nd yourself thinking negatively, expecting the worst, or feeling powerless, try the following to help change your mood:
- Focus on what’s going well. Write down three things that went well — even small things like a chat with an old friend — and give yourself credit for the role you played.
- Practice gratitude. Write down three things that you’re thankful for.
- Look on the bright side. Write down a negative event from your past, and then try to think of something positive that came out of it — or might come out of it in the future.
- Expect good things. Imagine yourself doing something that feels good.
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