The Power of a Positive Attitude for Health: 7 Tips

What is a free and natural medicine to boost your mental and physical health? It is a medicine you would prescribe to yourself, and you should take it every day: looking on the bright side of life!

Life can be challenging, and media can overwhelm with unwelcome and unwanted news. But it is super important to learn how to stay positive during tough times, as a positive attitude is good for the brain and the body.

How does a positive attitude improve health? 

Research shows that positive thinking can help you live longer, fight off illness and keep your heart strong. According to the National Institutes of Health, scientists have found a link between an upbeat attitude and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels and longer life.

The NIH reported that brain scans show that happy emotions trigger “reward pathways” in the brain. The longer the reward pathway is activated, the more healthful changes the body experiences, including lowering stress hormones. On the other hand, negative emotions set off areas of the brain that are associated with fear and anxiety, which can slow recovery time for a variety of health conditions.

So, when your mind feels good, it releases happy chemicals to improve your physical state.

Due to such reports, it is now widely accepted that having a jolly outlook helps you live longer, and that cheerfulness can give you a better quality of life. Positivity is also a natural defense mechanism that protects you from anxiety and depression.

Having a positive mindset involves finding the good in any situation, even when things get really tough. It is the act of being hopeful without lying to yourself. This should not be confused with unfounded optimism, which can be a bit tricky. Unfounded optimism, also referred to as “toxic positivity,” can lead to brushing off problems and pretending everything is fine. An example would be choosing not to wear a coat outdoors in winter because you do not believe you will get cold. In this case, you did not properly prepare for the problem, and now you are freezing!

How can I change my mindset to influence physical wellness? 

Ochsner Digital Medicine, a program that remotely treats common ongoing condition like high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes, encourages you to adjust your attitude to be your healthiest and happiest self. Here are seven suggestions to turn that frown upside down for your health.

1. Identify areas to change: Human nature tends to magnify the negative and filter out the positive. Mindfully check in with yourself throughout the day to pinpoint what may be triggering the negativity. Then shift your mindset to consider the good things happening around you and the positive aspects of your life.
2. Laugh at it: Yes, laughter really is the best medicine. Give yourself the permission to laugh, even when things are difficult. Humor is a great way to cope and elevate your mood.
3. Hang out with positive people: Your environment matters; that also means the company you keep. The people around you have a profound effect on your mindset, so surround yourself with uplifting and supportive individuals whose advice and feedback are valuable to you. Avoid the “energy-suckers” who add stress in your life.
4. Be kind to yourself: Speak to yourself the way you would speak to a close friend. Treat yourself with the same compassion as you would someone you love.
5. Be thankful: Positive people often write down their reasons for being grateful. While you do not have to record it, take stock of three to five things you appreciate having in your life. These things could be as small as a tasty treat or having great weather.
6. Learn from mistakes: It is easy to be discouraged when faced with failure. Instead of getting discouraged by mistakes, look for the lesson in these situations. Remember that successful people typically suffer many failures first! The “failures” are  valuable learning experiences.
7. Stay present: Pause during your day and bring your mind’s attention to the present thoughts and emotions you are experiencing. Then, let them pass without judgment. Engaging in mindfulness helps you regulate your emotional response to situations. It also helps you learn to listen to yourself.

Ochsner Digital Medicine can give you a better outlook on life! If you are living with high blood pressure and/or Type 2 diabetes, we can help you and your dependents (age 18 and up) manage these ongoing conditions from home without extra doctor’s visits. By joining the Digital Medicine program, you will enjoy patient-centered care. This includes a licensed clinician to monitor readings and help ensure you’re on the right medications and access to professional health coaches who help you make healthy lifestyle choices. Digital Medicine also helps with high cholesterol and weight management. This holistic support includes guidance on ways to improve mental health.