Power of Positive Thinking on Overall Health
We’ve all met that one person- the friend who stays upbeat even when the weather is gloomy, the bills are piling up, or the day doesn’t go as planned. Somehow, they don’t just survive life’s challenges; they thrive. What’s their secret? Positive thinking, and it might be the health habit we all need more of.
Positive thinking isn’t about ignoring problems or pretending everything is perfect. According to findings of Dr. Lisa Yanek from Johns Hopkins, individuals with a hereditary history of heart problems who have a more positive outlook are less prone to experiencing a heart attack or other cardiovascular events over a period of five to 25 years compared to those with a more pessimistic perspective.
One of the most important parts of staying positive is surrounding yourself with the right people. When I ran for Student Trustee, I practiced my speech endlessly, but in the end, I wasn’t chosen. It felt like I had lost a huge opportunity. On the way home, my teacher reminded me that trying my best mattered more than the outcome. That evening, she even emailed my parents to say how proud she was. At home, my parents encouraged me too, and the next day another teacher complimented my speech. Their support reminded me that failure isn’t the end, it’s just life. They taught me to turn setbacks into lessons by viewing a missed opportunity not as a dead end, but as a chance to try a different path.
Another way to practice positivity is by being kinder to yourself. Sometimes we tend to overlook the good things that have happened to us and focus on what we could’ve done better. It’s easy to fall into this trap of only seeing what can be better, and not what is already good. Don’t say negative things to yourself because subconsciously your brain hears those things, and the more you remind it, the more you become it. Say positive things to yourself, even if you don’t believe it. Tell yourself you’re confident. Tell yourself you’re strong. Tell yourself you’re loved because when you remind yourself of these things, your mind listens and believes it.
“When comparing the most optimistic to the least optimistic, the most optimistic have a reduced risk of dying from cancer, infection, stroke, heart disease, and lung disease,” says Dr. Eric Kim, who studies the phenomenon at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Other studies show that optimists cope better with pain, recover faster after surgery, and are less likely to develop depression. This shows how positivity isn’t just a nice idea; it’s backed by science.
We’ve all heard the phrase “look on the bright side,” but silver linings show up in real, everyday moments if we train ourselves to notice them. A rainy day and you missed out on plans? Well, it actually just gave you time to finish the book you’ve been meaning to read. You miss your bus? Well, it just gave you time to slow down and breathe. Forgot your umbrella on a rainy day? Well, free shower! Life happens to all of us, good and bad all included, but what matters is how you choose to see it.
At its core, positive thinking is not about denying reality; it’s about reshaping it. By surrounding ourselves with uplifting people, practicing kinder self-talk, and training our minds to notice silver linings, we can build resilience that strengthens both our body and mind. Science shows optimism can lower disease risks and extend life, but beyond the data, it simply makes everyday living brighter. So the next time life throws a challenge, ask yourself: What good can I find here? Because sometimes, a small shift in perspective is all it takes to transform a setback into a step forward.
