The power of positive thinking

Many students may find it difficult to stay positive during winter. Picture this: It’s February, the days seem to drag on and on and every time you go outside you get brown slush all over your new shoes. Your first thought might be, “Ugh, this sucks, my life sucks, I hate winter.” Maybe it’s not just winter. Maybe you’re thinking that all the time.  

According the National Institute of Mental Health, as of 2022, an estimated 59.3 million or 23.1% of Americans struggle with mental illness of different severities. It’s not uncommon to feel this way, especially around the winter months – and often, when our mental health starts to plunge, we begin to see the glass half empty. 

It may be hard changing our perspective to see the glass as full, but a positive mindset may just be the integral missing piece to happiness. In fact, the benefits of positive thinking are abundant, as is the amount of research to support it.  

According to VeryWellMind, multiple research projects have independently discovered the power of a positive mind. Maintaining a positive mindset aids in our ability to counter and manage negative aspects of the mind, such as stress and low self-esteem. People who think positively typically develop coping skills, have lower rates of depression and have better mental and physical health.  

Not only does positive thinking help your brain to function better, it helps your body, too. It’s just as mental as it is physical. Several studies have even found that a person’s life span significantly increases for people who maintain positive thinking habits. A 2018 study by the Journal of Aging Research found a 35- year decrease in morality in participants who had positive thinking habits, and one study found a decrease in frailty at an older age.  

But how can positive thinking alone be linked to better health, mental and physical, and even lower mortality rates? Dr. Robert Puff, creator of the Happiness Podcast and publisher of more than 13 books, has dedicated his life to sharing the power of positive thinking with others. 

An article he posted on Psychology Today highlights his beliefs on why and how positive thinking is so powerful. He believes that our thoughts shape the way we feel, and our happiness is completely dependent on our thoughts, whether they are positive or negative. Puff believes that by letting go of our expectations when an experience happens to us, it is much easier to stay positive.  

It’s not about toxic positivity or seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses. It’s about not letting ourselves fixate on negative thoughts, about allowing ourselves to grieve and feel and then move on. Nothing is helped by ignoring problems, but neither does dwelling on them. When we’re constantly telling ourselves “my life sucks, this sucks,” over and over again, we’re subconsciously telling our brain that those statements are actually true.  

But how do we even begin to think positively? It’s not just something that happens overnight–it’s a habit, a mindset. Positivity is something you may have to practice, but it’s simpler than you think, and there are many ways to go about it. You could practice positive affirmations, mindfulness or even gratitude. 

Print out positive affirmations and hang them on the wall by your night stand, next to your front door, or on your bathroom mirror. Practice saying them out loud every morning and at night before you go to bed. This will help you fall asleep and begin the day with a more positive mindset.  

Gratitude journals can also be an effective way to start thinking more positively. Every day, write down three things for which you are grateful. It could be something as simple as making it to class one minute early, getting a text from a friend or learning a new piece of information while studying. This will help you focus on the small, positive aspects of each day.  

Another way to feel more positive is by doing something nice for another person. Send a text that says, “I hope you have a great day!” or hold the door open for someone when you’re on the way to class. Or, stay after class and chat with your instructor about the most interesting part of the lecture. Engaging in positive behavior can lead to a more positive mindset.  

Perhaps most importantly, be mindful of your thoughts. If you find your thoughts are beginning to skew toward a negative light, try a positive affirmation instead, or even rewording your thought to something less negative. Retraining your brain may take some time. Positive thinking may not solve all your problems,  but research suggests it can make the tough times a little less tough and give you a little extra strength to get through the day.