As you might have guessed, National Positive Thinking Day is a time set aside every year to concentrate on all things positive. An American entrepreneur established the day in 2003, and since then, people all across the country have been commemorating the many rewards of positive thinking. Our Florida mental health rehab is sharing more on the history of Think Positive Day and how it can benefit you.
History of Positive Thinking Day
Positive Thinking Day is on September 13th every year to highlight the benefits of positive thinking for mental health. A lot of us tend to address every situation with negativity, but what effect is that having on our physical and mental health? Consistent negative thinking can give way to pessimism, bitterness, skepticism, anxiety, depression, and more. Our physical health can also wane as our mental health suffers.
There are numerous positive thinking benefits, including:
- Better cardiovascular health
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Improved coping skills during hardships and times of stress
- Improved psychological and physical well-being
- Greater resistance to illnesses
- Increased life span
- Lower levels of distress and pain
- Lower rates of depression
- Reduced risk of death from cancer, infections, and respiratory conditions
- Improved emotional control and intelligence
Practicing being positive on Positive Thinking Day doesn’t mean you ignore life’s less-than-pleasant situations. Rather, you approach these situations with a more positive and productive mindset. You approach these situations thinking the best will happen, not the worst. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some exercises you can practice to improve your mentality when it comes to positive thinking.
Positive Thinking Exercises & Tips
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk, which refers to the way you speak and think of and to yourself, as well as the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative.
Some of your self-talk may come from logic or reason, while other self-talk may be the product of misconceptions that you create due to a lack of information or preconceived ideas. If the thoughts that regularly run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life can be considered pessimistic.
Considering the benefits of positive thinking, what are some ways to change negative thinking and develop better habits? Below are some ways you can make positive thinking a norm:
- Identify areas that need change: To engage in more positive thinking, you must first identify things in your life that usually cause negative thoughts, whether it’s work, your daily commute, relationships, or other factors. You can start small by focusing on one area to improve. For instance, if your work commute is stressful, try creating a playlist or a podcast that will keep you relaxed or engaged.
- Check yourself: Periodically throughout the day, stop and evaluate your thoughts. Are they positive or negative? What’s the source of your thoughts? How can you change it?
- Don’t be critical: Sometimes, negativity stems from unmet expectations that we’ve set on certain people and situations. However, if you’re constantly thinking negatively about others or the situation at hand, it’s time to reflect on your standards and ask: are they too high? Be mindful of how you think of others and how you’re approaching situations from the start.
- Develop a healthy lifestyle: Our physical health can greatly impact our mental health, so it’s important to practice a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercising for about 30 minutes on most days of the week and eating a balanced diet.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Not only can the mood of others weigh down on our mood, but we also begin to reflect on the habits of those we spend the most time with. For these reasons, it’s important to take a look at the people you spend time with, as negative people can increase your stress levels and indirectly encourage negative thinking.
- Practice positive self-talk: Since positive thinking starts with self-talk, it’s important to avoid saying anything about yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself.
While negative thinking may not seem like such a huge deal, chronic and ongoing negative thinking and self-talk can have a major impact on your overall mental health. In fact, negative self-talk and thinking are common symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, our Boca Raton depression treatment and other behavioral health services can help.
Help for Mental Illness
Combating negative thinking and self-talk can make a world of difference in your mental health, relationships, career, and more.
If you or someone you care about needs help to overcome a mental health disorder, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our Boca behavioral health services.
