NERD ALERT: The power of positive thinking
Hello friends!
I am sure some of you are thinking “It’s a dumpster fire out there. But yeah… sure, Dr. B.” I hear you! It’s been a very trying time for so many of us but hear me out. Positive thinking is doing your best to turn lemons into lemonade and staying optimistic. When you do this, your body and your immune system will thank you.
Science says so.
Medical research has shown us that positive thinking has profoundly good effects on our health. Studies show having an optimistic outlook can improve longevity, mood, cardiovascular health, and immunity. No time like the present to do everything possible to improve our physical health, especially the health of our immune systems. In a recent study, researchers found that participants who were optimistic had more robust immune systems and were better able to fight bacteria and viruses than pessimistic participants. That’s big news!
Practice makes perfect.
Optimism is a SKILL, and like any skill, it gets better with practice and ultimately becomes a habit. Here are a few things you can do to flex your positivity muscle:
- Cut the cord on negative influences. This might mean watching less news or decreasing your time around negative people. It might also mean listening to yourself and seeing if you are creating a negative environment in your own mind.
- If you are feeling negative, stop and think about three things you are grateful for. Write them down if you can. This will immediately shift your mindset. And LAUGH as much as you can. Watch a funny movie or call a witty friend.
- Get help if you need it. Find a person who is a positive influence who can help you focus on what is good. This might be a friend, coworker, or a counselor.
