Wellness

[hildyjohnson]

I have been learning to practice positive self-talk and stop negative expectations to cope with depression and other health problems.

I found this article interesting. 

Please share your experience with negative or positive self-talk if you will.

tia!

Have a GREAT day and be well!❤️

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"The positive thinking that usually comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management.

And effective stress management is associated with many health benefits. If you tend to be pessimistic, don't despair — you can learn positive thinking skills.

Understanding positive thinking and self-talk

Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations.

Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way.

You think the best is going to happen,

not the worst.

Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head.

These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason.

Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic.

If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.

The health benefits of positive thinking

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
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body................."

"...........Practicing positive thinking every day

If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance.

You may also become less critical of the world around you.

When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're better able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way.

That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking..........."

Feb. 18, 2017
See more In-depth at the link

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-2004395...

.....

[Moonchilde]

The question is periodically asked on these forums whether one is an optimist or a pessimist, as if you must be categorized as one or the other, black or white, and that clearly "pessimist" is a bad thing to be and optimist is the Ideal; same with the "healthy" extroverts vs the "unhealthy" introverts.

I am neither; I'm a realist. I see no reason to go through life assuming worst case scenarios, but I have never, ever been someone who always assumes things will always turn out swell - or to chastise others for not being perpetual Pollyannas; that's such a "forced" thing to me - and I don't believe one's outlook on life should (or can be) "created." If it is, I don't think the person ever truly buys into it deep down, and knows they're faking it.

It's always good IMO to remind oneself to try and keep a reality balance between the two. Analyze a situation based on your knowledge of it. Look at it as worst-case and best-case; the actual outcome is most likely to be somewhere in between. With that in mind, most situations won't end as a surprise disappointment, or as bad as they might. Works for me.

[hoosieroriginal]

In today's world, it's REALLY difficult to be a positive thinker.  I tend to "stick my head in the sand" - I watch no newscasts, read no newspapers.  This helps me from being depressed about the world's situation.  When I watched TV I found myself having a hard time sleeping, concentrating on things, being generally happy.  I've decided this is the only way I can keep upbeat.  I also think there are a lot of unhappy, negative people out there who can really make your life miserable.  I try to steer clear of them also. 

[namaste000]

I have always tended to dwell on negative situations instead of moving on. Now, finally, I am trying to be more in the moment (mindfulness) and let negative thoughts go.

A phone app where I post daily things I am grateful for...sometimes including photos, has helped me.  It feels good to emphasize the positive. 

When I start to feel stressed I just do slow breathing and concentrate..."I am breathing in, I am breathing out" (again mindfulness) - and I feel more relaxed.

These are little things but they do make a difference 

[meallen616]

Everyday,

[Q4u]

I am and always have been a "half full" person.  But it is hard (sometimes) to maintain that thinking, even if it comes naturally with so much negativity surrounding us. How much simpler it was when the news was off and we had no smart phones..... however I am someone who enjoys "the big picture", follows the news, loves the computer and when the smart phone hit the scene, I embraced it.... and still do!

I am still "half full" as it's the natural way I see things. I wonder about the constant berating and beating down we get on a constant basis from all sides that is responsible for changes in mood and the rampant depression out there.  It can permeate the mind and soul and change people for the worse.  

Habits have to change in order to change negative self-talk...  and to change those habits takes a daily conscious effort.

[meallen616]

[house_cat]

Negative self-talk is one of my worst habits. I would never talk to anyone the way I talk to myself.  I'm working on it, but it's a tough habit to break.  I've made enough progress at least to recognize when I'm doing it.

[Graciesmom]

She Believed She Could

AND So She Did ...

I am a HUGE believer in positive self-talk ...  it requires focus so I also keep the positive words in front of me all day ...  I LOVE Joel Osteen who inspires me daily with his messages of hope and change.  Everyone seems to have a "go to" person for positive thinking, and Joel is one of mine.  There was a book years ago I read called "What to Say When You Talk To Yourself" ...  we all do it all day long ... it's just attuning yourself to the self talk and changing the thoughts to those words that enhance or change your life ...  it's hard to make yourself aware of the self talk at first but once you do you realize how real it is and learn to channel or change the thoughts that are negative ...  "you can't do that" ...  to those that are more positive or rewarding in your life.  You can do it !!  I do make signs to keep surrounding myself with ...  your words become your reality ...

[MoJoV]

Thats probably true,but no...I will always see the glass half empty and be my own worst critic.  I believe its a part of my personality and have accepted it. Good luck to all of those who keep trying...I've given up.