How Negative Thinking Affects Our Minds Over Time
Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash
We all know that a positive attitude goes a long way towards good health, right? Of course, we would all love to stay positive most of the time. It's often easier said than done though, depending on what's going on in our lives.
What kinds of benefits do we get from staying positive?
When asked, folks might mention greater physical ease, such as relaxed shoulders, regulated breathing, and a healthy heart rate. We also might appreciate falling asleep more easily and staying asleep. (Who else wakes up in the middle of the night worrying about something? Anyone? Just me?)
And of course, there is the indirect benefit of great human connections. We all know how challenging it can be to spend time with someone who is constantly negative about their lives -- it takes a toll on anyone else who is around that kind of energy.
Positivity also has possible long-term effects.
In one study, researchers at University College London found that individuals who have a consistent pattern of thinking negatively might raise their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
It's important to note here that the folks involved in this study were focusing on what they refer to as RNT, or repetitive negative thinking. So we aren't talking about the occasional bad day or even week. The idea behind RNT is that it occurs regularly, as part of one's everyday lifestyle.
The people who had higher RNT patterns showed deposits of two proteins in their brains that cause Alzheimer's when they build up.
There have been other studies linking health and positive thinking, to be sure. One recent study by Orb Media came to the conclusion that those with a positive attitude about aging may live longer and have better overall mental health. Those who see aging as negative may suffer from a variety of health issues, including strokes or heart attacks. They may also have a shorter life span.
So, it may be well worth it to focus on the good things in our lives when we feel headed towards a more-than-temporary spiral of negative thinking.
Reach out for help with this if you need it -- a trusted friend, a supportive relative, or a good mental health practitioner is an excellent resource.