How to Stop a Negative Attitude From Harming Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Negative thoughts are a part of everyone's self-talk. We all say mean things to ourselves, whether it's that we look fat or that our hair looks terrible or that our skin is too dry and wrinkled. We constantly tell ourselves that we're not good enough. While this may seem normal to many, negative self-talk can actually severely impact our overall health. If you would like to boost your health and feel better about yourself every day, take a look at these tips for ending the negative thoughts and replacing them with a positive mindset instead.
Interrupt Yourself
Once you recognize your negative thought patterns, make a choice to interrupt them every time they enter your mind. You might do this with a song, a quote, or some kind of physical distraction. After you've practiced the simple interruption, replace the negative thought with a positive one. Instead of telling yourself that you look terrible in that new shirt, compliment yourself about something else. This takes a lot more self-discipline than most realize, but the long-term effects of better self-esteem and improved mental health is well worth the effort.
Surround Yourself With Positive Things
If you've noticed a negative attitude, try to surround yourself with things that are positive in nature. If you have extremely negative friends, try to make some friends that are more positive in their interactions. At home, try to listen to positive or uplifting music and watch positive or funny TV shows. The more positive your environment, the easier it is to break the bad attitude and push yourself toward positive mental wellness.
Combine Physical and Mental Wellness
A bad attitude isn't only linked to poor mental health. It's also linked to poor physical health. But luckily, you can link these two together to make a plan of action. Start with a solid, regular exercise program. Exercise is known to reduce poor moods and make people feel happier. You can also take regular walks in nature or pick up yoga. Boosting the health of your body -- both physically and mentally -- can help you change a bad attitude and feel better in your everyday life.
Negative thoughts are going to happen. It's impossible to be completely positive 100 percent of the time. But an ongoing, chronic bad attitude can significantly impact your mental and physical health. Use these tips to turn your bad attitude and negative thoughts around. With a little practice and some dedication, you can have a positive attitude and better health, too.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Carbon, Ill.