Although it may seem obvious, understanding the answer to the question "what is positive thinking?" can put you in a far better position to become a more positive person. In short, it all comes down to the way we talk to ourselves throughout the day, influencing the way we look at situations and life in general.
What Is Positive Thinking Self Talk?
Self talk is simply the name given to those thoughts that pop into our head throughout the day - our stream of consciousness. It is the way we talk to ourselves about what we're doing, the way we convey our emotions and the way we think about ourselves.
This self talk can have a huge affect on the way we feel. Some of us are in the habit of talking to ourselves negatively. As a consequence, we look at situations negatively and feel bad about the things that happen in our lives.
There are a few specific types of negative self talk:
* Catastrophizing - thinking everything is going to be a disaster,
* Imposing "shoulds" on ourselves - thinking we should be a certain way and we will be "punished" if we aren't,
* Mind-reading - negative thoughts that revolve around the idea that we know what others are thinking,
* Expecting the worst - never imagining what will happen if a situation goes well,
* Absolute thinking - e.g. you "never" do well in interviews, you "always" mess things up.
If you take some time to really analyze your thoughts one day, perhaps even writing some down, then you'll probably notice you're guilty of some of these. All of us are from time to time, but positive thinking means generally learning what our destructive thought patterns are, and taking time to avoid them.
Other Areas That Influence Positive Thinking
Although your self-talk has a huge influence on the way you think, there are a few other things that are crucial when it comes to thinking more positively:
People You Spend Time With: If the people you spend time with are positive and supportive then it's far easier to think more positively yourself.
Your Lifestyle: Studies have shown that people with an active and healthy lifestyle are more likely to be positive thinkers.
As you can see, the question "what is positive thinking?" has more answers than you may have expected! Positive thinking is a complicated combination of the way we view ourselves, the way we view circumstances and events, the people that surround us, and the way we take care of our bodies. If you want to become a more positive person, then working on each of these areas in turn will get you there one step at a time.
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