Doing what’s best for your physical — or even your mental — health isn’t always as straight-forward or as easy as we’d like it to be.
A couple of months ago, someone I deeply respect shared a simple pearl of wisdom with me: Start each day by focusing on three positive thoughts.
That was it; nothing big or groundbreaking, just three moments or aspects that genuinely felt good. The first time I tried it, I felt an immediate boost in my mood. As days turned to weeks, I realized something even more meaningful was happening: I was slowly reframing the way I approach my days as a whole.
In this month’s edition feature, John Hosegood referenced a quote that perfectly captures what I was experiencing: If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. That shift in perspective doesn’t eliminate or even prevent challenges, but it does change how much energy they take up.
That’s the power of positive thinking, and I’m far from the only person to feel its effects.
Research from NCBI, UCLA Health, and St. Joseph’s Health — among others — suggests that intentionally focusing on the positive and fostering gratitude can have a real impact on your physical health. Some of the top benefits include less anxiety, improved immune function, lower blood pressure (supporting cardiovascular health), better sleep, and improved brain function.
In other words, small mental habits can quietly influence the way our bodies feel, and sometimes, that’s where meaningful change begins.