Why keeping the glass half full matters
A positive attitude is one of the most underrated tools we all carry on our journey through life.
The power of positive thinking is real, and there’s a growing body of research to remind us of the significant role it can have in our daily lives.
Increased life span, greater resistance to the common cold, and better physical well-being are among the health benefits that positive thinking may provide listed by the Mayo Clinic
Research from University of North Carolina shows that positive thinking (and the experience of positive emotions like joy, contentment and love) lead humans to see more possibilities in their lives
According to John Hopkins Medicine, people with a family history of heart disease who had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack than those with a negative outlook
Your attitude impacts everything. Your thoughts, your energy, your behavior and the plans you make.
Showing up in life with a positive attitude is not about ignoring reality or being fake. It’s about facing challenges with curiosity, being open to learn, and wanting to improve situations.
You can train your mind in positive thinking.
One powerful technique is reframing.
When you feel pessimism sneaking into your mind or hear the sounds of negative self-talk, you can stop the gears from grinding and reframe whatever situation you’re in.
For example, last week my home was one of those on the East Coast that lost power, water, and Wi-Fi with the winds of Hurricane Isaias (hence no email to you!) As I stood outside the morning after the storm, I realized I needed a reframe. While I was supremely grateful to be safe, my patience was admittedly getting thin with things I can't control (hmm....know any of those??) When I acknowledged that I wasn’t able to do the things I wanted to and that I could not control the status of the electric grid, I could feel the tension in my body slowly start to mellow.
When reframing, it’s important to focus on something that feels accessible and real. If you don’t believe the reframe or imagine that it’s possible, it likely won’t work. Last week I reminded myself that not only was I safe and healthy, but I was also incredibly lucky to spend unexpected time with dear neighbors outdoors. All things I know to be true.
Reframing is also a helpful tool to use when considering significant decisions, including financial ones. Specifically, many people find that framing financial decisions with values and lifestyle terms to be helpful. When we stop surrounding decisions with the cold, analytical terms we often associate with personal finance, and start acknowledging that our money choices have emotions wrapped around them, we make more informed decisions.
It’s not only about analyzing market returns to select investments in your IRA, it’s about knowing that you’re making the best choices you can to save for all that future you wants to do!
A positive attitude is one of your strongest life tools. When you practice reframing and maintain a positive outlook, you’re better prepared to tackle challenges and handle stress.