There are studies that suggest that positive thinking can help in the treatment of and recovery from illnesses. However, it isn’t a magic bullet. Thinking positive thoughts doesn’t cure everyone of cancer or make every recovery perfect. However it can elevate mood and reduce upsurges in hormones and other chemicals produced in large volume when people are stressed. The main thing seems to be that positive thinking has an advantage over negative thinking, because there are definitely causal links between negative thinking and production of stress hormones that make people feel worse.
There are a number of ways in which positive thoughts are introduced in therapy. Two key therapy concepts that use thinking as a means of recovery from mental illness are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In particular, ACT can focus in part on how to interpret events in their best light, instead of interpreting them as a personal affront. It attempts to keep people from going negative and using negative self-talking by changing the way they perceive a situation, and by evaluating the different motivations that can drive other people.
CBT can evaluate how people get into destructive thinking patterns based on core beliefs that are really not true. People can move from these old destructive beliefs into ones that are more modulated and realistic. Both ACT and CBT are considered legitimate means to help in the treatment of mental illnesses and they have been shown to improve outcome, even when used with severe conditions.
Positive thinking isn’t just for those suffering from mental illness. There are many methods that employ such thoughts in every day life. Athletes can use positive visualizations in order to “see” achieving a goal or executing a perfect move. Students may visualize great test scores and then achieve them by reducing test anxiety and by studying. Many people adopt optimism as a life strategy. Even in bad times, they try to find the silver lining or use tough times to commit to helping others.
There can be some disadvantages to positive thinking too। People can become overly optimistic, a condition called optimism bias. They believe that they are immune to bad times or they simply believe that likelihood of good things occurring is greater than the likelihood of bad things occurring. This might lead to a smoker believing he or she won’t get lung cancer, for instance. Optimism needs to be tempered with realism, which isn’t the same as being negative. A favorite quote among many Christians is "act as if everything depends upon you; pray as if everything depends upon God.” In other words people shouldn’t use faith in the divine or optimism to substitute for living in positive ways that will likely improve their chances of having positive outcomes.
Those who have tried to improve themselves as well as their knowledge, know very well how life is easier to live as they exercise positive thinking. But not many people know how to train themselves to let positive thinking dominate their minds. So let us first find out some characteristics of positive thinking people, then we can start to follow suit.
1. They see problems as challenges.
This is in contrast to the way some people see problems as ordeals too great to bear as to make their lives most miserable.
2. They enjoy their lives.
Positive thinking makes people light heartedly accept whatever conditions their lives are in, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they stop trying to better their lives.
3. They always open their minds to welcome ideas and suggestions.
By doing so, they have the chance to get something new that might enable the betterment of many things in life.
4. They immediately expel any negative thought as soon as it crosses their minds.
Keeping any negative thought longer may as well be waking up a sleeping tiger. It actually is indifferent but potential to bring about troubles.
5. They count their blessing.
They don’t complain about not having or getting what they want.
6. They don’t listen to gossips.
There’s no doubt that gossips are closely related to negative thoughts so positive thinkers never let themselves come into listening to aimless and meaningless talks.
7. They don’t make excuses but act straightaway.
You likely have heard how the abbreviation of NATO is jokingly said to represent: No Action Talk Only. Clearly positive thinkers are not its followers.
8. They apply positive way of speaking.
They use sentences with optimistic tone, like : “this problem will surely be solved soon” and “you are quite talented, no doubt”
9. They carry positive body language.
Namely : smiling face, steady strides, expressive gestures, convincing nods etc.
10. They care about their self image.
They take care of their good appearances, outwardly and inwardly as well।
Positive Thinking True Power
The true power of positive thinking lies in faith. Faith can cause a person's success and may also lead to his downfall. It is said that there is more faith in a doubtful man than in every priest in the world. This is very true."If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can move mountains."
This is one of the most inspirational verses in the Bible. It also tells us just how much faith can affect our lives. The power of positive thinking can be observed in what people with enough faith have accomplished in history.
People have built businesses based on the faith that they would not fail. People have dared to think that creating the Suez Canal was possible, and they did it. The true power of positive thinking is not found in finances, it is in human achievement.
The mentality of people today is so materialistic that we tend to measure achievement in terms of cash. We only understand the marvel of a building if we learn just how much it cost. We tend to measure a person's success in his or her profession by how much he or she makes, not by how much he or she has contributed to the field of study. That is the reason why we have forgotten about the true power of positive thinking.
You can see how much a self-doubting man can lose in a matter of days. You can observe just how many failures a person with self-doubt can experience in his or her lifetime.
Positive thinking can turn this around. If self-doubt is a form of faith, then it will take another form of faith to overcome it. The true power of positive thinking lies in the fact that it can eliminate self-doubt.
The greatest battle that man takes part in happens within. The power of positive thinking helped the allied forces win World War II. The power of positive thinking is evidenced in the way the paratroopers of Easy Company jumped from their planes, knowing in the back of their minds that they will win the war.
The power of positive thinking is that it defeats the worst enemy man has ever known: the self. Whenever you are trying to make a decision, you have an internal conflict. One road leads to greatness and the other leads to failure. Without positive thinking, you will not be able to do the things that you need to do in order to become successful. In fact, without positive thinking, you won't be able to do anything at all. You will just wait on that decision until your action (or lack thereof) becomes irrelevant.
Did that scenario sound familiar? Have you ever experienced an event in your life when you struggled so long with your self-doubt that time erased the relevance of your decision? The power of positive thinking is that you will be able to make decisions when they are needed. The power of positive thinking is that it can overcome that feeling of being frozen on the spot. Because of optimism, you will be able to look for any opportunity that will lead to your success.
The true power of positive thinking is not about making you a lot of money. It is about letting you do what you need in order to succeed. Whatever your definition of success is, the power of positive thinking can help you achieve it.
Christina Gray is a recognized authority on the subject of positive thinking। Her website www.selfimprovementsguide.com provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything you will need to know about self improvement. All rights reserved. Articles may be reprinted as long as the content and links remains intact and unchanged.
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.
Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.
It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?
The following story illustrates how this power works:
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.
His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.
During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.
Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.
In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.
He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.
What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.
Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.
All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.
Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.
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