We all know that one person who only focuses on the negative aspects of things, talks about everything that could go wrong, isn’t grateful for anything, and finds a way to see the worst in every situation.

This kind of negative individual can make you feel overwhelmed after a conversation. This is when you realize how important it is to become more positive.

A positive mindset can change your life and make you more optimistic and successful. Research shows that people with a history of heart disease and a positive mindset were one-third less likely to suffer from a heart attack.

Let’s take a deeper look at the power of positivity and how it can help you become happier and more successful, according to experienced teen mentors.

The Effects of Negative Thinking

Negative thinking is strongly associated with several other negative emotions like stress, pessimism, depression, hostility, and anger. This mix of different negative emotions can increase the risk of developing several health risks and even leads to a shorter life span.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of stress and negative thinking.

  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty achieving quality sleep

Negative emotions can also increase the risk of developing:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Dementia
  • Strokes

How to Become More Positive

Practice Gratitude

a woman standing by the sea.

One of the most effective ways to become more positive is by practicing gratitude. Gratitude has been proven to boost self-esteem, improve confidence, reduce stress, and make one more resilient even if times are difficult.

You can start writing in a gratitude journal and write down things that make you happy and feel fulfilled every day.

Focus on the Good

Many people have the natural tendency to look at the negative aspect of things. However, it is possible to search for the good things even if they seem insignificant at the time.

There is a proverbial silver lining in every cloud, no matter how hard the situation may seem.

Positive Self Talk

Many people aren’t aware of how their brains could be thinking negatively and reacting negatively to everything. This can be harmful to the brain and your mental and physical health.

It is important to become more aware of your brain’s natural thought processes and observe if you’re thinking positively or negatively. Studies show that even a small change in how you talk to yourself affects your mood, behavior, thoughts, and feelings.

So instead of negative self-talk, try saying more positive things about yourself.

Are you looking for more expert advice on how to change your life as a teen? Jesse LeBeau, the leading teen motivational coach, is here to help.

Being an experienced and knowledgeable youth empowerment speaker, Jesse has helped over a million teenagers become more confident and empowered.

Get in touch now to book a session.