9 simple strategies for keeping a positive mindset

You’ve probably heard these phrases. Every cloud has a silver lining. Look on the bright side. And, for children of the 90’s, PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) – the mantra espoused by British sprinter and Olympic Champion Linford Christie. For Linford, PMA was all about positive visualisation – rehearsing in his mind, over and over again, how winning would look and feel. By not allowing himself to visualise defeat, he squashed any negative thoughts. This is a way of training the mind to expect success.

More generally, positive thinking is a way of approaching life with optimism and gratitude. This can be as simple as finding something to be thankful for in any given outcome. Dinner date let you down? That’s great – more time for the gym / finish a book / indulge in a boxset marathon. Internet down? Good news – more time to chat to family. Those with a positive mindset find the best in situations, learning to focus on what they can control rather than what they can’t. In challenging or difficult times, the positives can be harder to find. But embracing positive thinking will help you respond with a degree of optimism and clarity of thought. This can help difficult situations feel more manageable and less stressful.

Positive thinking has been the subject of countless scientific studies, with the evidence showing that people who adopt a positive attitude enjoy less stress, less worry, better immunity, more success and longer, happier lives. The case for having a positive mindset is strong.^2,3,4

The power of positive thinking Adopting a positive mindset can bring many mental and physical health benefits. It’s not a quick fix answer to difficult times but nurturing positive thinking can help us lead a more rewarding and less stressful life. This can be particularly powerful when helping us respond to challenging and difficult times.