Let’s Revisit The Power of Positive Thinking

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It’s called the power of positive thinking because thinking is just that — powerful. As a man thinketh, so is he. The book, The Power of Positive Thinking: A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living, was published in 1952 by Norman Vincent Peale and has been translated into 40 languages and sold more than 20 million copies. It’s a book that has not only fallen out of favor, but one that had its fair share of critics when it was first released. I know we live in a cynical world that turns its nose at false positivity and sees positive thinking as superficial. Sure there’s truth to that, and sure you definitely have to do the inner work, but still positive thinking is nothing to thumb the nose at. It has its benefits.

There is no denying the benefits of positive thinking on a person’s mental and physical health. Scientific study after scientific study has shown the improvement in health outcomes and wellbeing, particularly of those with chronic illnesses and diseases, when positive thinking is employed and negative emotion is kept at bay. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the health benefits of positive thinking can include increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from…