In recent years, the medical field has realized the significance that the mind can have on the body. The relationship between feeling good and thinking good is very strong. There are some incredible health benefits to be gained from doing this one simple thing: thinking positively. In fact, positive thoughts can reduce chronic and acute back pain. If you’re not convinced that having a rosier outlook on things can improve your overall health, then you’re already doing it wrong! Let us help get you on the right track to a better state of mind!
Keeping your mind in good shape can also keep your body in good shape. One of the significant benefits of positive thinking is that it can actually increase your lifespan due to a healthier cardiovascular system. Patients in a hospital who had a brighter view of the world were more likely to live 5 years longer than those who were more negative. Researchers found that out of 100,000 women, the optimistic women were 30% less likely to die from heart disease. Those who were prone to negative thoughts were 23% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. Having a positive outlook on your day can give you a healthier and longer life.
For those of you suffering from back pain, you might find it very difficult to find positives throughout your day. However, a recent study completed through the VA found that participants who were asked to perform simple daily tasks that guided them to positive thinking led to a reduction in pain. For example, some participants were tasked with simple things such as thinking of 3 good things that happened that day. Keeping a journal of your accomplishments – even if you feel they are small, can help relieve your mind of negative self-talk. Focusing on the positive things can help ease your pain. There is strong evidence that the pain cycle is related to negative thinking. So, beating the negative thoughts can help break the pain cycle and give you relief!
Having a positive outlook on things can actually help improve your immune system, too! Those who tend to be optimistic also tend to stave off colds, flus and other illnesses better than those who are pessimistic! With flu season right around the corner, you might want to start looking on the bring side of things to help you avoid falling victim.
If you feel like your pain and suffering has led you down a negative road, it might be difficult to think about keeping a positive outlook on things. But, once you get started, it becomes easier and easier to see the bright side! There are many ways you can incorporate optimism into your life – things such as: 1) Replace negative words like “can’t” with positive ones 2) Imagine yourself accomplishing things that evoke happiness and strength 3) Keep positive people close 4) Remind yourself at the end of the day of all of the good things that happened. Thinking positively requires very little work or effort. A simple change in your thought process can have long and lasting benefits on your mental and physical health.
