I WOULD like to talk about positive thinking today- something that I hope everyone will practice in this new year. Positive thinking is vital to both our mental and physical health- with a wide range of benefits for both.

Positive thinking doesn’t mean that we ignore or overlook important adversities but rather we take a more positive and open-minded approach to resolving it. It makes us more grateful, productive, and motivated and further allows us to develop and use healthy coping skills in times of adversity. Positive thinking is a stress and anger management technique on its own which means those who practice it are more likely to lead healthier lives i.e. exercise more,consumeless alcohol and illegal drugs etc.

Studies show that being positive lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, increases one’s tolerance for pain and even slows aging. It improves relationships as positive people tend to see the good in not only themselves but others as well. It also increases both our self-esteem and self-confidence.

There are a few ways that we can increase our positive thinking. The first thing is to pay attention to our thoughts and self-talk. This is what we think or tell ourselves about ourselves. It is best to keep this as positive as possible. For example, if you do a bad job on something, make sure you think/say “I’ve done a bad job on this particular thing” rather than “I never do anything right.” The rule of thumb is to not say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else. The famous Buddha once said, “We are what we think.”

Avoid catastrophising which means anticipating the worst. Many of us tend to play out a scenario in our heads before it even happens. This also leads to mind reading which is assigning an explanation or meaning to something without any evidence. For example, if your spouse does something, you assume they must be feeling a certain way or thinking a certain thing. Since we can never really be sure about this, it is better to avoid it in general.

Rate your thoughts from now on. Are they helpful? Are they true? Are they even important?
Avoid polarising which means that something is black or white- there is always a middle ground. You may be good at one thing and bad at others but it doesn’t mean you are bad overall.

Surround yourself with good and positive influences. If there aren’t any around you, then you start the trend- positivity is contagious.
Attempt thought stopping techniques. This literally means to tell your thoughts to ‘stop’ when you find them to be negative. Take that same thought and find a positive spin on it.
Make up and repeat a positive affirmation daily. This can be anything such as “I am smart, I am capable, and only good things will happen to me.” Anytime you have a negative thought, repeat your own positive affirmation. It will reshape your whole mood.

My favourite thing to do is writing and destroying. When I have a negative thought, I like to write it down on a piece of paper, then tear up the paper and throw it away. A lot of symbolism in that action.

Switching negative thoughts to positive ones will not happen overnight but if you practice the above suggestions, it will happen. Remember that positive people are more likely to be happy and successful as they turn issues into opportunities. They are more likely to have luck in love as it means giving the benefit of the doubt.
I recommend that everyone visualise what you want to happen, not what you don’t want to happen. Expecting good things can bring good things.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at:

Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department:
Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs-12:00hrs
Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department
Drug and Alcohol group meetings – Mondays 16:00hrs
Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 16:00hrs
Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always