A Positive Mindset & Why it Matters | Mental Health Awareness Month
I recently watched a video, " Life Lessons From 100-Year-Old Americans Who Didn't Expect To Live So Long | Business Insider" on Business Insider's YouTube channel about 100-year-old Americans, and I found it intriguing. There were about five to six centenarians, ranging in age from 100 to 107 years, and they appeared to be in great shape for their ages. I observed the cheerful elderly discussing their lifestyles, families, and career choices. These centenarians were healthy, vibrant, witty, and unabashedly honest at times.
However, the most impactful aspect of this video was their discussion of maintaining a mindset of positivity throughout their lifespan. Each of the individuals interviewed stated that their mindset played an important role in their aging process. As we age, maintaining a positive mindset becomes an even more crucial component of our aging process. Aging often comes with its own set of challenges, including changes in our physical bodies and, unfortunately, an uptick in physical health issues. However, studies have found that older adults with a positive outlook on life tend to have better mental health and higher life satisfaction. For example, according to this Johns Hopkins Medicine article, individuals who maintain a positive attitude were found to be 13% less likely to experience a heart attack or other coronary events compared to their negative counterparts. Also, in Michael and Scott Warrick’s book, Healing the Human Brain, they discuss how our thoughts are directly related to what chemicals are being released in our brains…negative and distressing thoughts releases adrenaline and cortisol throughout our bodies, which makes our muscles tense, our heart rate soar, our glucose levels spike, and our blood pressure rise. While positive thoughts have the exact opposite effect on our bodies.” This indicates that a positive mindset can contribute to better physical health outcomes, which in turn supports mental well-being.
“Not all thoughts reflect reality”
I believe our emotional health and mental well-being are vital to maintaining physical health. Check out one of my previous articles on the Five Dimensions of Wellness, which provide more detail on the five pillars of health, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being. Managing your mental health and emotional well-being is just as important as managing your physical health. Although I studied briefly in mental health counseling, I'm not a licensed professional counselor; however, as a certified health coach and behavior change specialist, I incorporate emotional well-being when focusing on stress management, self-awareness, and behavior change while coaching clients through their health and wellness journeys. As I've studied the importance of maintaining good mental and emotional health, I enjoy learning how our brains and thought patterns are interconnected with our physical health. Our brains are unique, as they are intricately created to be both mental and physical.
Our thoughts are so intertwined with our physical health that they can hinder our goals and progress if we continually dwell on the negative aspects of our lives. For instance, there have been many times when I wanted to give up on my second weight loss journey. I've often asked myself, what's the point? Why am I doing this? Am I too old for this? I ate poorly this morning, so I might as well indulge today. Negative thoughts like these keep our progress stagnant and our lives imprisoned. I make it a priority to consistently monitor my thoughts because not all thoughts reflect reality! Although we will all encounter various issues and situations in our lives, maintaining a negative mindset will keep you stuck in the past and present and cause you to forfeit your healthier future self.
Maintaining a positive mindset and incorporating positivity into our daily lives can be as simple as practicing thankfulness, also known as gratitude. Although life will come with an array of situations and a host of issues, we can choose to focus on the positive and make better lifestyle choices. We can choose to engage in regular physical activity, eat better at each meal, give thanks for something each day, and show love to our loved ones. These practices not only can boost mood but can also reinforce a positive mindset. By focusing on the good in life and nurturing an optimistic attitude, individuals can improve their mental health and enjoy a more vibrant, connected, and healthy aging process, as I noticed in those centurions. Ultimately, a positive mindset serves as a powerful tool in promoting mental health and well-being across our lifespans.
Mental health is so much more than maintaining a positive mindset. Many mental health conditions cannot be fixed, treated, or cured with simply maintaining a positive mindset. For anyone battling mental health, please contact your primary healthcare provider, a trusted psychiatrist, or a licensed professional counselor to help you navigate through those mental health conditions. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who struggle with mental health. I've listed mental health resources below.
Mental Health Resources:
Psychology Today, www.psychologytoday.com - Search for a mental health provider
Your Health Insurance provider - Search for a licensed professional counselor (LPC), psychiatrist, or a primary health care provider.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or Suicide chat start a chat online - Call/dial 998 for immediate assistance: Available 24/7/365 for free and confidential conversations https://988lifeline.org
Your job's Employer Assistance Program (EAP) - Typically provides a number of free confidential counseling sessions to assist with various reasons. Speak with your Human Resources representative.
National Institute of Mental Health - https://www.nimh.nih.gov
Your local church, friends, family, or social acquaintances.
Be balanced, true, and well.