Is there a connection between health and positive thinking?

Several studies have shown that being optimistic may have real health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, boosting immune response, and lowering the risk of a deadly heart attack.

In 2016, a study from the Harvard School of Public Health evaluated the connection between a positive attitude and health. Their study tracked 70,000 women based on their level of optimism for six years and found that those with a positive outlook had a lower risk of death. This was after ruling out factors such as financial and social status, overall health, history of depression, and other issues.

Although this study isn't proof that a positive outlook will make you live longer, it did show that health and attitude are connected. It suggests that positive thinking is a healthy habit like eating right and getting enough sleep.

Can a Positive Attitude Cut Heart Attack Risk? 

According to a study at John Hopkins the answer is yes. Even people with a family history of heart disease cut their five-to-25-year heart attack risk by one-third by having a positive outlook compared to those with a negative one.

This was the finding of a Johns Hopkins expert named Lisa R. Yanek, M.P.H., and her colleagues. They also found that those with the most risk factors for coronary artery disease as well as people from the general population who had positive outlooks cut their heart attack risk by 13 percent compared to their negative counterparts.

Her team determined this using a survey tool that assessed a person's cheerfulness, levels of energy and anxiety, and overall health and life satisfaction.

The Positivity and Health Connection

The connection between health and positivity is still fuzzy but researchers believe that positive people are better protected against the inflammatory damage of stress. It's also possible that hope and positive thoughts lead people to make better decisions regarding health and life, and their long-term goals. On the other hand, it has been shown that negative thoughts and emotions can weaken your immune response.

What they do know is that a strong link between positive feelings and health exists, and a positive attitude improves outcomes for a variety of conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and brain tumors.

Are You Able to Improve Your Outlook?

A positive personality is something you are born with that you can't inherently change. According to Dr. Yanek, though, you can improve your outlook and reduce your risk of heart disease by taking some steps that will lead to a more positive outlook. Other studies suggest that optimism might be learned and that you can become more optimistic. 

One step you can take is trying to smile more. One university study found that smiling even when fake will reduce your heart rate and blood pressure when in a stressful situation. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, try thinking of a funny moment or watching a funny video on your phone, something that will make you smile.

Another thing you can do is reframe the situation. For instance, if you find yourself in a traffic jam, instead of stressing about it, think about how you have a little more time to listen to new music or your favorite radio show. Realize that there is nothing you can do about the traffic jam and use it as an opportunity.

Strengthen your resiliency. You can build your resiliency by maintaining good relationships with friends and family. The only thing constant in life is change so accept it. Act on a problem instead of hoping it disappears or waiting for it to resolve on its own. 

Resist negative thoughts. When something doesn't go right do you tend to blame some part of your personality? Instead, try to come up with a better more specific explanation. Think about what was happening at the time and what may have prevented it from going as planned. Do not simply think it was because of a problem with your personality but focus on an actual specific explanation. Focusing on specifics will help improve your attitude. Do not focus on something you cannot change like your personality.

Imagine the best possible you. Think about how you want your life to turn out whether it is work, your relationships, or your personal life. One study found that people who spent five minutes each day imagining their best life became more positive after just two weeks.

If you feel you have an overly negative outlook on life, why not give these suggestions a try and see if your outlook improves. Now is as good a time as any.