Positive Thinking
By:Teyawna.G
Jan 22nd, 2025
Definition
Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of
focusing on the good in any given situation. This can have a big
impact on your physical and mental health.
Characteristics
1. Optimism 🌞
● What It Means: Expecting good things to happen and focusing on possibilities rather than obstacles.
● Example: Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” reframe it as “I’ll do my best and learn from the experience.”
2. Resilience 💪
● What It Means: The ability to recover from setbacks and keep moving forward despite challenges.
● Example: A student who receives a low grade on a test studies harder for the next one instead of feeling
discouraged.
3. Self-Awareness 🧠
● What It Means: Understanding your thoughts and emotions, and recognizing negative self-talk.
● Example: If you notice yourself thinking negatively, pause and replace the thought with something more
constructive.
4. Gratitude ❤
● What It Means: Appreciating what you have and focusing on the positive aspects of life.
● Example: Writing down three things you’re grateful for every morning to start the day with a positive mindset
5. Growth Mindset 📈
● What It Means: Believing that abilities and intelligence can improve with effort and learning.
● Example: Viewing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles to success.
Why it’s Important?
1. Biological Factors (Body & Brain)
● Neurotransmitters & Brain Chemistry
○ Positive thinking increases dopamine and
serotonin, which improve mood and
motivation. Reward System!!
2. Psychological Factors (Mind & Emotions)
● Cognitive Reframing
○ Helps people shift negative thoughts into more
constructive ones.
3. Social Factors (Environment & Relationships)
● Supportive Social Networks
○ Being around positive people encourages
optimism and emotional well-being.
Boundin’
The
Jackalope
& The
Sheep
What Can We Learn?
Positivity is not defined as always smiling and
looking cheerful, but rather a powerful mindset
about your overall perspective on life and your
tendency to focus on all that is important in your
life.
Ask yourself?
🧠 "If you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself,
would they still want to be around you?"
If No, Why?
3 Ways to Integrate in Life :)
1.)Celebrate Small Wins !!
3.)Practice Gratitude
2.)Positive Affirmations
Thank You :)
References
WebMD. (2024, March 11). Positive thinking: What it is and how to do it.
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overview
Live And Learn Consultancy. (n.d.). What is positive thinking?. https://www.liveandlearnconsultancy.co.uk/what-is-positive-thinking/
Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press.
Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.310
Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687-1688.
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1150952
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.
American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218
Layous, K., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2014). The how, why, what, when, and who of happiness: Mechanisms underlying the success of
positive interventions. In S. A. David, I. Boniwell, & A. Conley Ayers (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of happiness (pp. 467-482). Oxford
University Press.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Atria Books.
