The Power of Positive Thinking for Your Health

Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Cathy

I’m sure you’ve heard how the power of positive thinking can improve your attitude, it can also improve your health. When I was younger my mother would use positive thinking to get a front parking spot and it worked! Afterward, she would say “I told you we’d get one.”

She passed that kind of thinking along to me and I always tell my kids to think positive. Using positive thinking can improve your behavior, mood, relationships, and health. It’s amazing how powerful our minds can be to what’s going on around us. 

There are affirmations at the bottom of the post which you can print out to help keep you staying positive.

I had a friend diagnosed with MS several years after I was but she declined much faster. Granted she had progressive MS and I had RRMS but it was her attitude that bothered me the most. When I tried telling her about using food as her medicine she didn’t want to hear it.

Once she heard she had MS she gave up, she believed she would be in a wheelchair within five years and she was. It was sad watching her quickly decline to where she was a quadriplegic, my heart broke every time I saw her.

I’m not saying she brought this on herself. But having a negative attitude affects our body which leads to health problems. Having negative thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness creates chronic stress. Chronic stress can trigger the onset of MS and cause a flare.

Dealing with Stress 

Chronic stress is a toxin! It creates brain fog, disrupts the body’s hormone balance, and damages the immune system. When your body feels threatened it focuses only on the threat and how you can escape. 

If you are in the forest and a bear crosses your path, your body goes into high alert and can only focus on the bear. It’s the same reaction when you are facing a stressful situation from any stressful event. Your body only focuses on stressful reactions.

My husband works in sales, the other salespeople complain that clients don’t remember their names. My husband tells them to stomp on their client’s foot. Not literally but a person will remember a negative emotion more than a positive one.

You’ve got to learn how to stop focusing on negative thoughts and emotions. You can’t heal your body if you constantly have negative thoughts. Thoughts such as anger, anxiety, bitterness, fear, or resentment.

Pain Involves Both the Body and the Mind

Pain causes stress and negative thinking causes pain sensations to be worse. Maybe that’s why medical professionals say “This isn’t going to hurt” just before they poke you with a needle. They are giving you positive thoughts. Researchers discovered positive thoughts about pain reduce the perception of pain. It allows your brain to tolerate it more. I have a high tolerance for pain but it didn’t come naturally. 

Ways to reduce pain:

• Massage
• Meditation
• Positive thinking
• Relaxation
• Yoga

Both my grandfather and mother have a high tolerance for pain. My mother told me that it runs in the family and I always believed it. – I still do.

Whenever I have a cavity filled I tell my dentist I don’t want Novocaine. As he’s drilling away on my tooth I close my eyes and picture myself in a relaxing place with the sun shining on my face. Then I tell myself to stay relaxed, this doesn’t hurt. It’s always nice leaving without my mouth being extremely numb.

I also hate going to the doctor even if it’s just for a checkup. The anxiety of getting there on time causes my heart to beat and I can feel it in my gut. I hate sitting in the waiting room with other people who are obviously sick. I use positive thinking when I’m getting my blood pressure checked. I take slow deep breaths and tell myself it’s going to be low and it is.

I use positive thinking in other medical ways, I tell myself that I never get headaches and I rarely get them. Also, my eyesight is getting better, and on my last eye checkup, it did get better. Even though the ophthalmologist told me it was impossible.

Be Kind and Loving to Yourself

Negative thinking is a habit and you need to retrain your brain to start thinking positively. You can’t heal your body if you hate it. Next time you look in the mirror say something nice about yourself and believe it.

You can’t change the circumstances that happened in your life but you can change your attitude. The longer you feel sorry or pity for yourself the easier it is to fall into depression. I know from experience how negative feelings can affect your health. It’s what caused my walking to get worse.

I don’t want that to happen to you!

Avoid Negativity

Negativity is contagious whether it’s from co-workers, friends, or family. Social media connects us with other people. But if you’re not careful it can lead to negative feelings. Such as anxiousness, isolation, jealousy, regretfulness, and unhappiness.

Fear is another negative feeling, it can leave you feeling victimized and immobilized. Fear is something I’m still working on. Several years ago I fell and shattered my elbow it was extremely painful. I waited for three hours at the hospital before doctors even saw me. My husband said it was probably because I didn’t look like I was in a lot of pain. (Remember I have a high tolerance to pain.)

The doctor scheduled my surgery for one week later even though I begged him to move it up. During that week I was in so much pain, I lay on our sofa unable to move even an inch. That experience was VERY traumatic to me and I still have a fear of falling.

Letting Go

Letting go of negativity doesn’t come easy, it’s something you have to work at. Instead, think about things that are positive in your life. Say positive words to yourself out loud or write them down. 

There were times I was at the check out in the grocery store and the cashier would pull the shopping cart away from me. The cart was my security from falling in public. The feeling of fear would overcome me to where I couldn’t move until they gave it back.

Now, when that happens I think of my exercise coach and the positive words and tips he has taught me. My confidence builds up and I am able to take several steps without panicking. It takes time to overcome your fear but it can happen.

Relaxing and Staying Calm

You can reverse negative and stressful thoughts by relaxing. Read a book, listen to music, watch a funny movie, hang out with happy people. Stay away from negative people they only bring you down, you may need to set some boundaries.

Mediation, yoga, or tai chi all benefit your emotions, thinking, and body. Spend some time outdoors enjoying nature and soaking up some sun. Start doing things you used to enjoy like cooking, gardening, painting, or woodworking. Don’t let the little things in life turn into negative things. Next time someone cuts you off in traffic let it go, it doesn’t matter. Take a deep breath and let it go.

Unlock the potential of a healthier, happier you by embracing positive thinking. Explore the benefits and learn practical strategies to enhance your well-being.

Positive Thinking Cards

Get the password to my library with MANY wellness printables including the Positive Thinking Cards here by filling out this form:

Want to remember this health tip? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31220509
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29878833
ps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180529132010.htm