Do you tend to see the glass as half empty or half full? You have probably heard that question plenty of times. Your answer relates directly to the concept on positive thinking and whether you have a positive or negative outlook on life. How you see your life can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health.

Positive thinking plays an important role in positive psychology, a subfield devoted to the study of what makes people happy and fulfilled.

Research has found positive thinking can aid stress management and overall health and well-being. It can help combat feelings of low self-esteem, improve physical health, and help brighten your overall outlook on life.

What is positive thinking exactly? Positive thinking means approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. It doesn’t mean seeing the world through rose-colored lenses by ignoring or glossing over life’s negative aspects. Positive thinking does not necessarily mean avoiding difficult situations. Instead, positive thinking means making the most of potential obstacles, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive light.

Some of the health benefits associated with positive thinking include: -Better stress management and coping skills; -Enhanced psychological health; -Greater resistance to the common cold; -Increased physical well-being; -Longer life span; -Lower rates of depression; -Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.

While you might be more prone to negative thinking, there are strategies that you can use to become a more positive thinker. Practicing these strategies regularly can help you get in the habit of maintaining a more positive outlook on life: NOTICE YOUR THOUGHTS: Start paying attention to the type of thoughts you have each day. If you notice that many of them are negative, make a conscious effort to reframe how you are thinking in a more positive way. WRITE IN A GRATITUDE JOURNAL: Practicing gratitude can have a range of positive benefits, including helping you develop a better outlook. Experiencing grateful thoughts helps people feel more optimistic. Spend a few moments each day writing about the things you are thankful for in a gratitude journal. USE POSITIVE SELF-TALK: How you talk to yourself can play an important role in shaping your outlook. Studies have shown that shifting to more positive self-talk can have a positive impact on your emotions and how you respond to stress.

Practicing positive thinking comes down to creating intentional, persistent habits related to the way you think, feel and react to certain situations. So that means you should deflect negative thinking with more positive thoughts when it makes sense.

If you would like to work on positive thinking, give Becky or Deb a call at (515) 391-3233. You can also stop by our office at 8 West Church Street. We would be glad to help you work on positive thinking.

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Becky Brown and Deb Williams are the cofounders

of Together We Can, a mental health nonprofit

based in Marshalltown.