The type of thoughts you have can directly affect your experience in many situations and how you approach the world in general. The way you think can become self-fulfilling, which means the outcome is directly related to the way you think about the situation.
There are many ways to evaluate your mindset or general approach to interacting with your thoughts, your surroundings, and your experiences. Being aware of your mindset allows you to direct it in a way that is productive. Today let’s delve into the value of positive thinking because the way you think can affect how you feel.
The value of positive thinking
When you engage in positive thinking, you are empowered to act and achieve goals that might have otherwise seemed impossible. When you approach a task with a positive mindset, you may focus on the positive aspects of the situation and attract people who support the outcome.
When you take a positive approach, you will be optimistic and willing to work hard. You may also feel energized and more relaxed. Often times aches and pain stem from muscle tension and being able to relax your body can reduce your pain experience.
Studies show that the brain allows expectations of pain to shape the actual experience of pain processing. Having the ability to change your expectations of pain can be a valuable approach to reducing your pain experience. Positive thinking has also been shown to reduce stress, which is known to exacerbate pain. You may feel better just by reducing the stress in your life.
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Don’t get stuck in the cycle of negative thinking
On the contrary, when you choose to engage in negative thinking patterns, you will be more likely to doubt yourself. Negative thoughts prevent us from taking action because self-doubt and fear become our driving beliefs.
Negative thinking has been shown to reinforce limiting beliefs. When you assume that you’re not good enough or that you will fail at something, you aren’t as likely to try as hard. With less effort you are less likely to succeed. Therefore, you can see how these thinking patterns become self-fulfilling.
Studies show that negative thinking can create neural pathways that amplify degenerative conditions, inflammation and underlying disease. Negative thinking can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression leaving you feeling drained. Muscle tension from increased anxiety can worsen chronic aches and pains.
What’s Next?
Take time to evaluate your current thinking patterns. Most of us engage in both positive and negative thinking but tend to lean towards one extreme or the other. Developing a mindset practice that promotes positive thinking can have significant health benefits.
Consider starting a daily routine that incorporates some kind of mindset practice. Some different types of methods include mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, or journaling. It can take time to figure out which method works best for you, so be open to exploring different types of practice.
