GoodHealthMD.com
Power of Positive Thinking
Are you a "glass half empty" or a "glass half full" kind of person?
Research shows that looking at the positive side of things is better for your health
- optimists have been shown to do better than pessimists in almost every
aspect of life, including how well their immune systems function.
If you tend to be negative, there is good news: Optimism can be learned. The
process begins with the identification of self-defeating thoughts. Once you
become aware of habitual thoughts that lead to negative emotions, you can
begin to substitute positive ones. For example, whenever you notice yourself
ruminating on a negative theme like, "I am worthless and this latest setback
just confirms it," you can consciously substitute, "This setback is just
something that happened; I will get through it, because I am capable and
resilient." A trained cognitive-behavioral therapist can help you in your
process of viewing the world in a positive light.