Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: November 24, 2014
It’s a fact that positive people live longer, healthier and happier lives than pessimistic, negative people. People with positive attitudes are better able to cope with stress and anxiety.
The health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased lifespan
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships/high stress
Menopause brings on physical and emotional challenges.
Also at this time of life, there may be other major life changes occurring, i.e.: caregiving of elderly parents, children moving away, financial issues and unexpected health issues. All of which certainly can change our overall outlook on life.
These difficult challenges may sometimes make you fall into developing negativity- which only increases stress levels. So it’s important to devise a plan of action, to turn around any negativity you might be experiencing. It might mean not dwelling on things that you cannot control or change.
It may take a lot of practice to learn to think more positively. Some ways which may help include:
- Figure out what’s causing your negative thoughts and stop engaging them as soon as they begin. Take the time to monitor your thoughts and feelings carefully.
- Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. Things about the challenges you have had in the past and how you managed to overcome them. Don’t think of your glass as half full. Replace all those negative thoughts with positive ones.
- Be thankful for what you have. Think about those people in your life that have impacted you in a positive way. Focus on how happy you are when you see them smile and for the happiness they have brought to you.
- Stay connected with others. Being involved with others improves your attitude and health, as well as benefits those who are around you. Some suggestions are:
- Volunteer your services to organizations, i.e., Meals on Wheels, the public library, hospitals; become civic minded, i.e., join your neighborhood association, volunteer to help a candidate running for office; find a new hobby, take additional computer lessons; get in shape by exercising regularly; connect with your spiritual side, i.e., religious beliefs.
- Keep in touch with family and friends. We all remember Barbara Streisand’s song “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world”. Lack of relationships and bonds lead us into feelings of isolation and depression. So, its important to maintain those friendships with family and friends. These social networks help us to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
- ‘Busy hands are happy hands’ is an old saying that sometimes help when people are feeling down. Take your mind off of your worries for a while by… cooking something, sewing, walking, reading, listen to upbeat music.
In closing, learn to look on the bright side of life.
A positive attitude will help ensure that you face each day with energy and enthusiasm.
So, enjoy the benefits of having a positive attitude!
It’s your choice as to how you think – why not think more positively and enjoy the benefits of positive thinking!
