Have you ever stopped to consider how our thoughts, behaviors, and patterns of thinking impact our well-being and day-to-day lives? Does our mindset jeopardize our future, the way we view ourselves and others, or even the way we feel? What aspects of our past impact the way we think? Can we simply change the way we think to change our reality? Let’s take a closer look.
The Placebo Effect
The Oxford Dictionary defines the placebo effect as “a beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself and must therefore be due to the patient’s belief in that treatment.” In other words, the placebo effect is due to our belief in something working, rather than the actual product itself.
We anticipate a specific result based on the information we have been given or already know, which then influences how our bodies and minds react.
Studies have shown that a placebo can often be just as effective as a traditional medical treatment. How is this possible? Well, the secret may lie within our minds. When we believe something to be true or when we expect a certain outcome, our minds make that result a reality. This can be compared to the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Positive Thinking
Can thinking positive thoughts truly change how we view the world and improve our overall well-being? And in turn, can the opposite be true as well?
Have you ever noticed how, when one thing goes wrong at the start of your day, you then notice all the little inconveniences that irritate or anger you throughout the remainder of the day? These little things that just aren’t going your way—you might not have even paid much attention to them if it weren’t for the specific mindset shift that happened, making you decide that this was a bad day based on the initial mishap.
This happens because you have already deemed it a bad day, so your mind will notice the negative aspects considerably more than the positive. So, what if, after spilling your coffee or missing your train, you continue to tell yourself, “This will be a good day!” What would that simple shift in perspective do? Would it change anything? The best way to find out is to try this yourself. The next time you find yourself losing your keys or stuck in a traffic jam, try telling yourself positive affirmations and let your mind work its magic. Maybe even smile through it—the results may surprise you.
Smile Through It
A study at the University of Kansas showed that smiling can reduce one’s heart rate and lower blood pressure. The type of smile didn’t even make a difference; a fake smile had the same results.
By having a positive mindset, you can build resiliency, which then makes you better equipped to handle burdens and obstacles. You can push through the daily hurdles with more inner strength and are less likely to fall victim to the victim mentality.
Being stuck in negative thought patterns is just going to keep you stagnant, and you’ll continue being in a vicious loop of cynicism.
Positive Affirmations
Our words and thoughts hold power. We become what we think we are, so by telling ourselves something positive daily, we will start to believe it—and then eventually become it.
This type of positive thinking and speaking positivity into existence rewires our mind’s thought patterns.
A simple affirmation can be motivating and even improve self-esteem. A positive affirmation can be used to fight against negative subconscious thoughts and belief patterns and replace them with a positive thinking pattern.
Rewiring the Brain
To rewire the brain for more positive thinking, we first need to understand neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is defined as the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences, learning, and environmental stimuli.
Our brains are continuously changing throughout our lives based on the experiences we go through, our thoughts, and how we react to these thoughts and experiences. Since the brain is always changing, this means we can rewire it for our benefit.
Unconscious Influences
The unconscious mind shapes our everyday life and how we interact and react to certain situations. Some reactions we experience are unconscious impulses or reflexes. These can feel uncontrollable or automatic. We may experience a certain situation and have an immediate urge to react a certain way—even if it’s a negative reaction—because it’s unconscious behavior.
Being able to identify these behavior patterns and what stimuli usually evoke them is crucial when wanting to transform these reactions into a more positive one. It is important to remember that these behaviors were learned for survival and probably served a purpose at one point in time, so thank them for helping you during times of need—during traumatic experiences or through childhood—yet know they no longer serve your higher good, so it is best to release them.
Our childhood experiences and previous traumas can greatly affect the way we interact with others and react to situations.
The Power of Visualization
If we can imagine an outcome or a desired situation in our minds, we are more likely to make it a reality in our lives.
Visualizing something is training the mind for this experience. Our brains cannot tell the difference between a real experience and a vivid mental image.
Seeing yourself succeed in your mind improves self-confidence and helps you truly believe in this image. If we can see it, we can make it happen.
Final Thoughts
Our patterns of thought hold more power than you may have realized before. We can create the life we desire just by shifting our mindsets. If we know what it is we want out of a situation, we can put that image into our minds. We can smile through struggles to change how our bodies react to stress.
When faced with obstacles and stress, just ask yourself what the silver lining is. “What did I gain from this experience?” Focus on the positive.
Next time you find yourself getting stuck in the cycle of negative thoughts, just reset—and remember that the power of positive thinking is right at your fingertips.
