Positive thinking

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According to the Mayo Clinic, "Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst."[1]

According to the Mayo Clinic:

“ Positive thinking doesn't mean that you ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.

Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information or expectations due to preconceived ideas of what may happen.

If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.[2]

”

"To engage in positive thinking, you can practice gratitude by actively acknowledging the good things in your life, use positive self-talk to challenge negative thoughts, surround yourself with positive influences, practice mindfulness to stay present, set realistic goals, and actively seek out uplifting activities and conversations with others."[3]

Positive thinking and emotional intelligence increase problem solving ability and help with stress management

See also: Problem solving and Creative problem solving and Emotional intelligence and Stress management

Positive thinking and emotional intelligence help cause one to focus on constructive thoughts and potential solutions to problems which helps with problem solving ability.[4][5]

Positive thinking is also helpful for stress management which helps with peak performance in terms of mental ability.[6] See also: Flow state

Positive reframing

Singin' in the Rain trailer: Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Kelly, 1952

Video: Singing in the rain - song

See also: Negative thinking and Stress management and Peak performance

Positive reframing is a mental technique that involves changing negative thoughts into more or completely positive ones. It can help individuals to manage negative thinking and negative emotions and reduce/manage stress so peak performance is possible.

Behaviorial reframe

"Behavioral Reframe: "What have I done that is in opposition that's in opposition to the thoughts I am having about myself? ...Challenge negative thoughts by doing things that go against them. For example, a “bad” person wouldn’t apologize or try to make amends. When you look at your behavior and can see the ways your actions contradict your negative thoughts it can help you reshape those distortions."[7]

Articles:

Increasing positive thinking

Donald Trump's father Fred Trump was enthralled with the power of positive thinking and strongly inculcated this type of thinking into Donald Trump.[8]

See also: Self-talk

Ways to increase positive thinking include:[9][10][11]

- Identify areas of life where one is more negative and focus on being more positive

- Monitor yourself. Periodically during the day, evaluate how positive/negative your thinking is and/or keep a journal.

- Challenge your negative thinking. Ask yourself questions such as: Is this really true? How do I know this is true? Have I checked the relevant facts?

- Reframing. For instance, instead of stressing about a traffic jam, do something constructive in the car or be thankful for the fact that you can afford a car

- Be open to humor

- Build resiliency. See: Psychological resilience

- Exercise and eat healthily

- Surround yourself with positive people. See: Social influence

Source: How to increase positive thinking

Positive thinking and motivation

See also: Motivation and Self-motivation and Negative thinking and Mindset and Motivation and Self-care

Positive thinking and motivation are interconnected because a positive mindset can fuel motivation and help you overcome challenges, while sustained motivation can reinforce positive thinking and lead to greater success and well-being.[12]

Bing Crosby and Andrews Sisters performed the popular song Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
Source: Positive thinking and motivation

Articles:

How motivation reinforces motivation

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." - The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:24
Source: Positive thinking and motivation

Tips for cultivating positive thinking and motivation

Source: Positive thinking and motivation

Health benefits of positive thinking

The half a glass of water helps illustrates of two different mental attitudes, optimism (half full) and pessimism (half empty)

The Mayo Clinic indicates that the health benefits of positive thinking are:[13]

- Increased life span

- Lower rates of depression

- Lower levels of distress and pain

- Greater resistance to illnesses

- Better psychological and physical well-being

- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke

- Reduced risk of death from cancer

- Reduced risk of death from respiratory conditions

- Reduced risk of death from infections

- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Negative thinking

Usain Bolt avoids thinking about his weaknesses before a race. Sometimes he thinks about how he will celebrate if he wins.[14] See: Self-talk

Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 meter world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

See also: Attitude and Mindset

Negative thinking involves:[15][16][17]

- Filtering. Magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filtering out all the positive ones.

- Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself.

- Catastrophizing. Believing that the worst will happen in situations.

- Overgeneralization. Believing that negative things always happen to you and positive things never happen to you.

- Ungrateful attitude. Discounting the good that happens in one's life. See: Attitude and Mindset

- Magnifying. Making mountains out of molehills.

- Overly emotional. Believe that just because you feel something is true that it must be true. Ignore the facts and other plausible explanations.

- Limited thinking. Failing to have a growth mindset. Defeatist thinking by saying you can't do something when it merely will require effort, problem solving, creativity, and persistence.

- Blaming. Not taking personal responsibility for your wrong actions.

- Hasty jumping to conclusions. Engage in "mindreading" and catastrophizing.

- Saying you "should" or "must" do something when it isn't true or beating up yourself excessively for failing to do things

- Perfectionism

- Polarizing all or nothing thinking. You see events/matters in starkly good or bad terms in terms of consequences when there is middle ground or bad/good aspects of events/matters.

Positive psychology

See also: Positive psychology

According to Harvard Health Publishing, positive psychology is otherwise known as the science of human flourishing, the search for satisfaction and contentment that's within everyone's reach. Positive thoughts and positive attitudes—what we call positive thinking—can lead to direct, positive health outcomes.[18] - Practice positive self-talk. Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to others. Show self compassion and don't beat up on yourself.

Books

  • Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being by Sue Varma M.D. Avery. February 20, 2024
  • Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E. P. Seligman. Vintage. January 3, 2006
  • The Science of Positive Thinking: 5 Simple Steps to Reduce Your Stress & Restore Your Health, Happiness & Peace of Mind by Neil F. Neimark M.D., CreateSpace. 2015. ISBN-10: 1506122124
  • The 5 Pillars of Positive Thinking - Master Your Mind: Proven Strategies to Cultivate Joy, Confidence, and Inner Peace. Control Your Thoughts and Unleash Your True Potential for Happiness and Success by David Heimbacher. Wise Minds Publishing (May 24, 2023)
  • The Art of Mental Training - A Guide to Performance Excellence by D.C. Gonzelez. GonzoLane Media (November 5, 2013)
  • The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance by Dr. Nate Zinsser. Custom House (January 25, 2022)

Christian book

See also: Bible memorization

  • Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth by Natalie Abbott and Vera Schmitz. Bethany House Publishers. May 14, 2024

See also

“Every dark cloud has a silver lining” is an idiom that points out there is always something positive to find in any situation - even when it seems very difficult. It encourages individuals to look for the good in all situations.

Antonyms:

External links

Organizational positivity:

Videos:

Notes

  1. ↑ Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
  2. ↑ Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
  3. ↑ How to engage in positive thinking
  4. ↑ How Positive Thinking Makes You a Better Problem Solver
  5. ↑ How Positive Thinking Creates More Problems Than It Solves, Forbes, 2013
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Reframe your thoughts
  8. ↑ How this 1950s self-help guru shaped Donald Trump’s attitude toward life and business, CNBC
  9. ↑ Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
  10. ↑ 10 Common Negative Thinking Patterns and 5 Steps for Change, Family Center
  11. ↑ The Power of Positive Thinking, John Hopkins Medicine
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
  14. ↑ How the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt mentally prepares for a race CNBC
  15. ↑ Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
  16. ↑ 10 Common Negative Thinking Patterns and 5 Steps for Change, Family Center
  17. ↑ The Toxic Effects of Negative Self-Talk by Elizabeth Scott, PhD
  18. ↑ Positive Psychology, Harvard Health Publishing
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