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Why a Positive Mental Attitude Is So Important

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Each day, tens of thousands of thoughts run through our heads, and of those thoughts, the majority are negative. We spend all day bullying ourselves mentally, then wonder why we have anxiety or depression. As it turns out, having a positive mental attitude is beneficial to our mental and physical well-being.

In this post, I’ll explain what a positive mental attitude is and give you some examples of positive self-talk. I’ll also show you how to easily become a more positive thinker.

What is a Positive Mental Attitude?

Even though we don’t hear it, we’re talking to ourselves mentally all day. When most of our thoughts are negative, it creates a bleak and deflating atmosphere in our minds. The way we think all day affects how we see ourselves and the world around us. Unfortunately, having a negative outlook makes us more likely to have a poor self-image and easily accept defeat.

On the other hand, people with a positive attitude are more persevering and have a better self-image. Thinking positively allows us to be more productive and not dwell on things that are out of our control.

Creating a positive mental attitude doesn’t necessarily mean ignoring the bad things in life. Rather, you’re choosing to be more proactive about them and expecting things to get better instead of worse. While negative thinking can come from logic, much of it stems from overthinking and fear.

Why Having a Positive Attitude Is Beneficial

Developing a positive attitude can help build confidence, empowerment, and promotes self-forgiveness. All this helps us heal poor self-esteem and create a healthy mindset for ourselves.

Thinking positively can help us with stress management, which means it can benefit our physical health as well. Stress can cause depression, headaches, raise the risk of heart attack, and even cause fertility problems. While thinking positively may not necessarily treat current illnesses, it can help prevent future ones from happening.

However, there are times when being positive can be demeaning and invalidating. Toxic positivity is when one doesn’t allow themselves or others to feel their pain, masking it with positivity. Imagine putting a smile on your face, even when you’re emotionally falling apart. Hiding painful emotions instead of working through them is harmful to your mental well-being.

Toxic positivity isn’t helpful or healthy for anyone. You’re allowed to experience negative emotions, so don’t let anyone invalidate the way you feel. Our goal here isn’t to force a smile but to make your mental atmosphere a more friendly one.

How to Incorporate Positive Self-Talk

It’s possible to create a positive attitude for yourself, but it requires a bit of training. To do this, you must practice positive thinking regularly and catch the negative thoughts you’re having. For this, I recommend using positive self-affirmations and journaling for self-reflection.

When journaling, try writing down some of the limiting beliefs you have. Or, if you don’t know what they are, try writing about the things you don’t like about yourself or your life. Now ask yourself these questions:

  • Is this a limiting belief?
  • Is it useful to feel negative about it?
  • Why am I having this thought?
  • Is the thought truthful?

Think of something positive or neutral to replace the negative thought. Now, when you notice yourself having that thought, replace it with your positive/neutral version. A great way to do this is to notice any small wins you had or find something you like about yourself. Think of them instead. It will be hard to replace your thoughts at first, but like anything, it gets easier over time.

Also, notice when you’re being overly hard on yourself. We have a habit of blaming ourselves when things go wrong, even when they aren’t our fault. If you did make a mistake, try reframing it so you don’t see it as a failure. See it as a stepping stone to reaching your goals or think of it as a new opportunity to learn.

Throughout the day, take time to notice positive things happening around you. As a negative thinker, you may be filtering out the positive in the world and ignoring it. Let’s try to change that around. If you can, surround yourself with positive people to help you think this way.

“Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you’re positive, good things happen.” – Deep Roy Click To Tweet

Examples of Positive Self-Talk

Self-affirmations are the thoughts and beliefs you have that you repeat to yourself, even if you’re unaware. Replacing negative self-affirmations with positive ones can help nurture a positive mental attitude, so it happens on its own. As you replace these thoughts, your brain will look for proof they exist, making you more likely to act the way you’re thinking.

For example, if you always think you’re going to have a bad day, you likely will. However, if you always tell yourself you’re in control, things will feel easier to manage.

Here’s a list of positive affirmations to get your mind into the habit of speaking confidently to itself:

  • Today, I am letting go of stress.
  • I do not worry about things I can’t control.
  • I am fearless.
  • There’s an abundance of opportunities coming my way.
  • Happiness comes to me effortlessly.
  • Every day, I’m taking steps toward reaching my goals.
  • With every breath I take, I’m getting calmer.
  • I am bold and beautiful.
  • I let go of my negative beliefs and strive towards positivity.
  • My body is strong and capable.
  • I am worthy of everything that I desire and more.
  • My skills are in demand, and I am appreciated.

Positive Mental Attitude: Conclusion

Creating a positive mental attitude is easy to do and helpful in so many ways. With a positive mindset, we can become more productive and have a better self-image. So, let’s get to it! Go through the examples of positive self-talk and find one you like. Then, repeat it until you realize it’s true.

With these skills and enough practice, you can start thinking positively and see the benefits for yourself. You may or may not believe they work, but what do you have to lose? Give them a try because you might be surprised!

Do you have any daily positive affirmations that you like to use? Share them in the comments!

That’s it for now everyone. If you’ve found some value in this post, please share it to inspire others too! Thanks!

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20 thoughts on “Why a Positive Mental Attitude Is So Important”

  1. Poorwa Vishwakarma

    Such an inspiring post, Ang! Absolutely, positive mental attitude is so important! My way to get rid of negative emotions is that I believe negative thoughts will only make things go worse, it will be alright no matter what and keeping this positive thought in mind I feel so much better.

  3. Ashley L. Peterson

    One thing that’s important for me with affirmations is that they remain in the realm of reality rather than getting into the territory of things that just aren’t true. So I would do better with something like “I’m worthy of love” than “everybody in my life loves me.”

    1. Ang

      I feel like I know people who actually do think everyone loves them 😆. But yes, staying in reality is a good idea.

  4. Sheri K

    Wonderful post, Ang! Positive self-affirmations have really helped me quiet the negative voice in my head and feel better about myself. Also thank you so much for the audio version of this post. I usually have a hard time reading blogs even though I am a blogger😊.

    1. Ang

      I’m so glad they work for you! I just started using the plugin for the audio reader and I wish I’d put in on my site sooner. It’s pretty cool!

  6. capost2k

    Dr. Daniel Amen, in his book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, discusses extensively the importance of thinking ABOUT our thoughts; challenging our thoughts, and avoiding ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts). He gives excellent guidance as your short blog does. Thanx for “thinking” about those of us who read your blog. 😉

  7. Forestwood

    Negative thinkers do filter the world in a different way. This prevents them from seeing any positivity at all, and can be very tough to change. The neural pathways in their brain that might track a more positive outlook have withered so super tough self-discipline and a willingness to perservere is the only way forward for those folks. Some just don’t have that capability, sadly.
    I like that you mention toxic positivity and I agree. At my lowest ebb, I had to block out painful thoughts and move quickly from the room or situation where I was in, least that negative thought mushroom out of control. I was smiling though hurting terribly inside. In some ways, it was hard and stressful but in other ways a forced smile did help ignite what was left of the postive networks in my head. Smiling can also release endorphins even if it is fake….
    Great post Ang. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Ang

      I’ve heard that forcing yourself to smile can help your mood, but I’ve never bothered to try it. Yes, toxic positivity is also unhelpful. I think it’s healthy to experience our painful emotions so we can move on from them. Thanks for your awesome comment 😊

      1. Forestwood

        I agree, Ang. Too often we shy away from sitting with those bad feelings and in order to progress past them, we do have to first feel them instead of denying them.
        By not thinking about them, I am in a way denying them. But not permanently, just until I can better cope with processing them.
        When you are feeling down, you should try smiling and see if it has any effect. I would be interested in your experience.

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