Doctor's Health Tip - April 2009
Positive Mental Attitude

Being negative is easy because it brings things down to the least common denominator – the animal brain. It’s easy to find fault in others, criticize others, be cynical and skeptical, and look for the weaknesses in others. It requires no thinking – just reacting. The human part of our brain is the part that grows with effort, and therefore, it’s the part that gives long term joy and happiness.

Why should I be positive when everything seems so negative?  Science informs us that having a positive attitude will help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help us to live longer and look younger, bring us health, increase happiness and reduce stress.

OK. That sounds good, but how do I do it?  Start simply, by simply starting.  If you have control of anything in life, you have control of your mind. Positive thinking and negative thinking are said to be two sides of the same coin.  Do a simple experiment. Choose one full day to embrace every event and conversation with joy. Look for an equivalent positive in people and things that may at first seem negative.  See the good in things instead of the negative. At the end of your day reflect on your feelings and how your day went.  If it goes well, you can repeat it any time; if not, you have lost nothing.  You just may enjoy this.

Why is it so difficult at times to have a positive mental attitude?  There are as many reasons as our minds can think of; force of habit, culture, a way to relate to people, fear, social manipulation, newspapers, global warming, global cooling. It doesn't matter.  What matters is we can do something about it, free and simply – by changing your mind.