Be positive

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

Increased life span
Lower rates of depression
Lower levels of distress and pain
Greater resistance to illnesses
Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
Better psychological and physical well-being
Reduced risk of death from cancer
Reduced risk of death from respiratory conditions
Reduced risk of death from infections
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Consider actively working to be positive and optimistic by:

Approaching life through positive and optimistic thinking…
- “Stress is an opportunity for me to do….”
- Write down stressor(s) in your life that is bothering you. Then write down a positive thoughts about the negative situation.
Being intentional daily to engage in positive self-talk
- Write down positive statements about yourself.
- Write down positive attributes of yourself on your mirror in dry erase marker.
- Speak to yourself in the mirror “positively” every morning.
Surround yourself with positive people.
- Initiate connections with positive people.
- Consistently evaluate your relationships and let go of negative relationships
- Write down positive people in your life that you believe you should spend more time with in order to accomplish your goals.
Be Open to Smiling & Laughing
- Write down 5 positive activities that make you happy and work to do these activities more often?
- Go to a comedy show.
- Enjoy good quality time with your supportive family.
Check-in during the day…Ask yourself “How am I doing towards my goal to be positive?”
- Write down the time that you encounter the most stress during the day, making this your check in time.
- Call a love one for a brief conversation (i.e., spouse, partner, kids, etc.)
- Say a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude.