Inculcate positive thinking for a happy and cheerful life!

What is positive thinking? Why should a person think positively?

Positive thinking is looking towards the bright side of life while ignoring the dark ones. It doesn't mean that you have to be calm and party when you fail an exam without putting in any effort; instead, it is how you accept the situation and move on while thinking about what can be done to not repeat the mistake or to successfully achieve a goal.

It is said that what people do is dependent on their thinking. Suppose a person thinks that he/she can complete a task without any difficulty. In that case, they will do it without having any negative impact. In contrast, people who think they are incapable of doing the job they are given will not be able to do it no matter their efforts in completing it. Hence it all lies in our own hands. If we want our life to be filled with happiness and positivity, we should think positively.

Henry Ford said, "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you are right." It means that all is in the mind and attitude.

Benefits of Positive Thinking

Research says that positive thinking has many benefits. They are as follows:

The physical benefits are

· Prolonged lifespan

· Low risk of having a heart attack

· Good physical health

· Better resistance to illness such as common cold

· Helps in managing stress

The mental benefits may include:

· Creativity thinking

· Improved problem-solving skills

· Clarity in thoughts

· Good mood

· Reduced rate of depression

According to a study, when people were exposed to common cold and flu, the people with positive attitudes were likely less affected and showed fewer symptoms.

Another study showed that more optimistic women were less likely to die from cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, and infection.

Tips to start thinking positively

• Don't be in the company of people who express negative thoughts and feelings.

• Find reasons to smile this would help you feel more confident and also who doesn't like to stay with people who has a pretty smile whenever they approach them rather than to be with those who always have a dull face.

• Picture your future in the brightest way possible. Think about where you want to be in the future, like your job position, relationships, health, hobbies, etc. Research says when you imagine your life going well, you will be happy in the present.

• Start your day with a positive note – listen to happy songs, tell yourself that it will be a good day, and think about the things that make you feel satisfied (like your favourite artist, favourite food, etc.)

• Spend time with positive people

• Suppose you feel sad, depressed, angry, or extremely happy and cannot tell anyone; express all your feelings by writing them down in a journal. In that case, this will help you reduce your sadness or anger. (it's a tested and approved method that works)

• Open up yourself to humour – watch stand-up comedy shows, crack lame jokes with your friends

• Talk to your friends or people with whom you like spending your time, share your problems or difficulties you're facing with them, even though they cannot solve your problem entirely they can make you feel better also by expressing your thoughts you will feel more relieved than keeping it within yourself.

Here are some quotes to boost your mood:

"You can close the windows and darken your room, but you can also open the windows and let light get in. It is a matter of choice. Your mind is your room. Do you darken it, or do you fill it with light?"

"Don't waste your time in anger, regrets, worries, and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy."

"The mind is everything. What you think you become." – Buddha

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." –Alice Walker

"Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to make it better." – Unknown

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." – Willie Nelson

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habit. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." – Mahatma Gandhi

O. Henry's last leaf is the best example that proves that it all lies in a person's mind and how he thinks. In that story, the lady diagnosed with pneumonia feels that she is going to die as soon as the last leaf of the ivy vine falls. However, at last, she becomes courageous and fights for her life when she sees that the last leaf is still there even after the storm the previous night.

So, people should look at the good thing they have instead of worrying or being unhappy about the things they don't have.