Looking on the bright side.

It is time to look on the bright side.

Is the power of positive thinking really true? Is positive thinking something that can make a difference in your life?

Everyday we turn on the television or listen to the radio and can easily and very quickly become disillusioned and sad about the economy, our living situation, our standard of living, or a multitude of other depressing news. But research has shown that the more positive and up beat we are about our lives the more it becomes our reality.

Being optimistic about situations has been shown to pay off in all kinds of areas, including health, longevity, employment situations, and even achieving higher scores on tests. Who wouldn’t want to think “for the best”?

According to Chinese philosophy, for every ying there is a yang, so it stands to reason that those who think the opposite way (Pessimists) are likely to have the opposite outcome i.e.: more depression, shyness, lower job expectations, and less success in relationships. Not necessarily, but the data points overwhelmingly in favor of positive thinking in regards to our health and well being.

According to this health and behavior article in USA Today  positive thinking can be an extremely powerful tool. It is kind of a ‘fake it till you make it’ attitude that often can pay dividends in the end. If you always believe you are being taken for a ride you might miss an awesome and exciting opportunity, if you believe someone will cheat you – you may react that way first to beat them to the punch. Wise up, take each moment as it comes, stop looking for the hidden agenda, and live life to the fullest. Opportunities are there to be taken but you must look for them and see the potential in each situation instead of only seeking the negative.

The Mayo Clinic has suggested that “Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information. If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you’re likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.”

For those who can practice positive thinking life becomes less stressful and you may even enjoy better health and well being. Indeed the Mayo Clinic noted that in people who practiced this they had:

• Decreased negative stress
• Greater resistance to catching the common cold
• A sense of well-being and improved health
• Reduced risk of coronary artery disease
• Easier breathing if you have certain lung diseases, such as emphysema
• Improved coping ability for women with high-risk pregnancies
• Better coping skills during hardships

Psychologist and scientist Suzanne Segerstrom even chose to study optimism and the immune system. The 35-year-old Segerstrom is best known for rigorously testing the following question: Is optimism good or bad for the body’s immune system? The answer, according to the data so far, is yes.

What great skills to have at a time like this!

Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!

Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic Evergreen CO. 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com

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