The Power of Positive Thinking

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Positive Thinking?Benefits of Positive ThinkingHow to Practice Positive ThinkingPotential Pitfalls of Positive ThinkingFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Positive Thinking?

Benefits of Positive Thinking

How to Practice Positive Thinking

Potential Pitfalls of Positive Thinking

Frequently Asked Questions

Close

Do you tend to see the glass as half empty or half full? You have probably heard that question plenty of times. Your answer relates directly to the concept of positive thinking and whether you have apositiveor negative outlook on life. Positive thinking plays an important role inpositive psychology, a subfield devoted to the study of what makes people happy and fulfilled.

Research has found that positive thinking can aid instress managementand even plays an important role in your overall health and well-being.It can help combat feelings of low self-esteem, improve physical health, and help brighten your overall outlook on life.

This article discusses what positive thinking is and the health benefits of being positive. It also explores some of the strategies you can use to become a more positive thinker.

Positive thinking does not necessarily mean avoiding difficult situations. Instead, positive thinking means making the most of potential obstacles, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light.

Some researchers, including positive psychologistMartin Seligman, frame positive thinking in terms of explanatory style.Yourexplanatory styleis how you explain why events happened.

Positive thinkers are more apt to use an optimistic explanatory style, but the way in which people attribute events can also vary depending upon the exact situation. For example, a person who is generally a positive thinker might use a more pessimistic explanatory style in particularly challenging situations, such as at work or at school.

RecapWhile there are many factors that determine whether a person has a positive outlook, the way that they explain the events of their life, known as their explanatory style, plays an important role.

Recap

While there are many factors that determine whether a person has a positive outlook, the way that they explain the events of their life, known as their explanatory style, plays an important role.

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

Positive Psychology vs. Positive Thinking

While the terms “positive thinking” and “positive psychology” are sometimes used interchangeably, it is important to understand that they are not the same thing. Positive thinking is about looking at things from a positive point of view. It is a type of thinking that focuses on maintaining a positive, optimistic attitude. Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the effects of optimism, what causes it, and when it is best utilized.

Health Benefits of Positive Thinking

In recent years, the so-called “power of positive thinking” has gained a great deal of attention thanks to self-help books such as “The Secret.” While these pop-psychology books often tout positive thinking or philosophies like thelaw of attractionas a sort of psychological panacea, empirical research has found that there are many very real health benefits linked to positive thinking and optimistic attitudes.

Positive thinking is linked to a wide range of health benefits, including:

One study of 1,558 older adults found that positive thinking could also reduce frailty during old age.

A 2018 study published in theJournal of Aging Researchfound that having a positive mental attitude was linked to decreased mortality over a 35-year period.People who had a more positive outlook were also more likely to get regular physical exercise, avoid smoking, eat a healthier diet, and get more quality sleep.

Clearly, there are manybenefits of positive thinking. But why, exactly, does positive thinking have such a strong impact on physical andmental health?

Another possibility is that people who think positively tend to live healthier lives in general; they may exercise more, follow a more nutritious diet, and avoid unhealthy behaviors.

While you might be more prone to negative thinking, there are strategies that you can use to become a more positive thinker. Practicing these strategies regularly can help you get in the habit of maintaining a more positive outlook on life.

While there are many benefits to thinking positively, there are actually times when more realistic thinking is more advantageous. For example, in some situations,negative thinkingcan actually lead to more accurate decisions and outcomes.

Some research has found that negative thinking and moods can actually help people make better, more accurate judgments.

However, research suggests that realistic optimism might be the ideal. The results of a 2020 study published in thePersonality and Social Psychology Bulletinrevealed that people who have mistaken expectations, whether those expectations are optimistic or pessimistic, tend to fare worse in terms of mental health when compared to realists.

The authors of the study suggest that the disappointment that optimists experience when their high hopes are not realized can have a negative impact on well-being. This doesn’t mean that people should strive to be pessimistic thinkers. since studies indicate that people with a negative outlook tend to fare the worst.Instead, having a generally positive outlook that is focused on realistic expectations may be the best approach.

In some cases, inappropriately applied positive thinking can cross the line into what is known astoxic positivity. This involves insisting on maintaining a positive mindset no matter how upsetting, dire, or damaging a situation might be. This type of excessive positivity can impede authentic communication and cause people to experience feelings of shame or guilt if they struggle to maintain such an overly positive outlook.

RecapPositive thinking can have pitfalls at times. While it is important to have an overall positive outlook, unrealistically high expectations can lead to disappointment. Being unable to accept any negative emotions, known as toxic positivity, can also have a negative effect on mental well-being.

Positive thinking can have pitfalls at times. While it is important to have an overall positive outlook, unrealistically high expectations can lead to disappointment. Being unable to accept any negative emotions, known as toxic positivity, can also have a negative effect on mental well-being.

A Word From Verywell

Even if you are not a natural-born optimist, there are things you can do to learn how tothink more positivelyandbecome a positive thinker. One of the first steps is to focus on your own inner monologue and to pay attention to your self-talk.

Strategies that can improve your positive thinking include noticing your thoughts and making a conscious effort to shift from negative thoughts to more positive one. Practicing positive self-talk and practicing gratitude can also be helpful ways to start having a more positive outlook.

Positive thinking is important because it can have a beneficial impact on both physical and mental well-being. People who maintain a more positive outlook on life cope better with stress, have better immunity, and have a lower risk of premature death. Positive thinking also helps promote greater feelings of happiness and overall satisfaction with life.

Practicing mindfulness can be a way to build self-awareness and become more conscious of how your negative thoughts affect your moods and behaviors. As you become better at identifying negative thought patterns, you can then take steps to shift into a more positive mindset. Actively replacing negative thoughts with positive ones can help you eventually learn to become a more positive thinker.Learn More:How to Change Negative Thinking?

Practicing mindfulness can be a way to build self-awareness and become more conscious of how your negative thoughts affect your moods and behaviors. As you become better at identifying negative thought patterns, you can then take steps to shift into a more positive mindset. Actively replacing negative thoughts with positive ones can help you eventually learn to become a more positive thinker.

Learn More:How to Change Negative Thinking?

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, DeMeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD.Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.Am J Epidemiol.2017;185(1):21-29. doi:10.1093/aje/kww182Seligman M.Learned Optimism. Random House.Chang E, Sanna L.Virtue, Vice, And Personality: The Complexity of Behavior. American Psychological Association.Johns Hopkins Medicine.The power of positive thinking.Park N, Peterson C, Szvarca D, Vander Molen RJ, Kim ES, Collon K.Positive psychology and physical health: Research and applications.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(3):200-206. doi:10.1177/1559827614550277Gale CR, Mõttus R, Deary IJ, Cooper C, Sayer AA.Personality and risk of frailty: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(1):128-136. doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9833-5Paganini-Hill A, Kawas CH, Corrada MM.Positive mental attitude associated with lower 35-year mortality: The Leisure World Cohort Study.J Aging Res. 2018;2018:2126368. doi:10.1155/2018/2126368Boyraz G, Lightsey OR Jr.Can positive thinking help? Positive automatic thoughts as moderators of the stress-meaning relationship.Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2012;82(2):267-77. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01150.xKross E, Bruehlman-Senecal E, Park J, et al.Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: how you do it matters.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2014;106(2):304-24. doi:10.1037/a0035173Forgas JP.Don’t worry, be sad! On the cognitive, motivational, and interpersonal benefits of negative mood.Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(3):225-232. doi:10.1177/0963721412474458De Meza D, Dawson C.Neither an optimist nor a pessimist be: mistaken expectations lower well-being.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2021;47(4):540-550. doi:10.1177/0146167220934577

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, DeMeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD.Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.Am J Epidemiol.2017;185(1):21-29. doi:10.1093/aje/kww182Seligman M.Learned Optimism. Random House.Chang E, Sanna L.Virtue, Vice, And Personality: The Complexity of Behavior. American Psychological Association.Johns Hopkins Medicine.The power of positive thinking.Park N, Peterson C, Szvarca D, Vander Molen RJ, Kim ES, Collon K.Positive psychology and physical health: Research and applications.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(3):200-206. doi:10.1177/1559827614550277Gale CR, Mõttus R, Deary IJ, Cooper C, Sayer AA.Personality and risk of frailty: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(1):128-136. doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9833-5Paganini-Hill A, Kawas CH, Corrada MM.Positive mental attitude associated with lower 35-year mortality: The Leisure World Cohort Study.J Aging Res. 2018;2018:2126368. doi:10.1155/2018/2126368Boyraz G, Lightsey OR Jr.Can positive thinking help? Positive automatic thoughts as moderators of the stress-meaning relationship.Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2012;82(2):267-77. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01150.xKross E, Bruehlman-Senecal E, Park J, et al.Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: how you do it matters.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2014;106(2):304-24. doi:10.1037/a0035173Forgas JP.Don’t worry, be sad! On the cognitive, motivational, and interpersonal benefits of negative mood.Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(3):225-232. doi:10.1177/0963721412474458De Meza D, Dawson C.Neither an optimist nor a pessimist be: mistaken expectations lower well-being.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2021;47(4):540-550. doi:10.1177/0146167220934577

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, DeMeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD.Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.Am J Epidemiol.2017;185(1):21-29. doi:10.1093/aje/kww182Seligman M.Learned Optimism. Random House.Chang E, Sanna L.Virtue, Vice, And Personality: The Complexity of Behavior. American Psychological Association.Johns Hopkins Medicine.The power of positive thinking.Park N, Peterson C, Szvarca D, Vander Molen RJ, Kim ES, Collon K.Positive psychology and physical health: Research and applications.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(3):200-206. doi:10.1177/1559827614550277Gale CR, Mõttus R, Deary IJ, Cooper C, Sayer AA.Personality and risk of frailty: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(1):128-136. doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9833-5Paganini-Hill A, Kawas CH, Corrada MM.Positive mental attitude associated with lower 35-year mortality: The Leisure World Cohort Study.J Aging Res. 2018;2018:2126368. doi:10.1155/2018/2126368Boyraz G, Lightsey OR Jr.Can positive thinking help? Positive automatic thoughts as moderators of the stress-meaning relationship.Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2012;82(2):267-77. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01150.xKross E, Bruehlman-Senecal E, Park J, et al.Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: how you do it matters.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2014;106(2):304-24. doi:10.1037/a0035173Forgas JP.Don’t worry, be sad! On the cognitive, motivational, and interpersonal benefits of negative mood.Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(3):225-232. doi:10.1177/0963721412474458De Meza D, Dawson C.Neither an optimist nor a pessimist be: mistaken expectations lower well-being.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2021;47(4):540-550. doi:10.1177/0146167220934577

Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, DeMeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD.Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.Am J Epidemiol.2017;185(1):21-29. doi:10.1093/aje/kww182

Seligman M.Learned Optimism. Random House.

Chang E, Sanna L.Virtue, Vice, And Personality: The Complexity of Behavior. American Psychological Association.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.The power of positive thinking.

Park N, Peterson C, Szvarca D, Vander Molen RJ, Kim ES, Collon K.Positive psychology and physical health: Research and applications.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(3):200-206. doi:10.1177/1559827614550277

Gale CR, Mõttus R, Deary IJ, Cooper C, Sayer AA.Personality and risk of frailty: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(1):128-136. doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9833-5

Paganini-Hill A, Kawas CH, Corrada MM.Positive mental attitude associated with lower 35-year mortality: The Leisure World Cohort Study.J Aging Res. 2018;2018:2126368. doi:10.1155/2018/2126368

Boyraz G, Lightsey OR Jr.Can positive thinking help? Positive automatic thoughts as moderators of the stress-meaning relationship.Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2012;82(2):267-77. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2012.01150.x

Kross E, Bruehlman-Senecal E, Park J, et al.Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: how you do it matters.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2014;106(2):304-24. doi:10.1037/a0035173

Forgas JP.Don’t worry, be sad! On the cognitive, motivational, and interpersonal benefits of negative mood.Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(3):225-232. doi:10.1177/0963721412474458

De Meza D, Dawson C.Neither an optimist nor a pessimist be: mistaken expectations lower well-being.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2021;47(4):540-550. doi:10.1177/0146167220934577

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