The mind and body share a special connection that allows one to influence the other. Your attitude toward yourself and your body shapes your physical health, and conversely, your physical health can affect your attitude. Countless studies have proven this connection and shown that there are numerous health benefits to positive thinking.
If you’re seeking a remedy to a physical ailment or simply want to find an easy way to improve your health, the answer may lie in your attitude.
Negative beliefs or thoughts lead to negative feelings, which can cause negative actions. Many individuals struggling with weight find that they have limiting beliefs such as “I am not good enough” or “I am unlovable” that cause them to feel bad about themselves. These feelings then manifest into behaviors such as overeating and skipping exercise.
What qualifies as negative? A negative belief, feeling, or action is simply a one that does not support you in getting what you want.
Positive thinking, on the other hand, leads to positive feelings and actions, the kind that support you in getting more of what you want and living life with purpose.
People with positive attitudes typically handle stressful situations in a more productive way. Rather than feeling defeated by it, they may be feel invigorated by the challenge and call forth their greatest qualities to overcome it. They are more likely to ask for support. They are more adaptive to change than resistant to it.
What does this mean for your health?
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with positive mental attitudes experience the following health benefits from a positive attitude:

Increased life span

Lower rates of depression

Lower levels of distress

Greater resistance to the common cold

Better psychological and physical well-being

Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease

Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Improving your attitude starts with changing your thoughts. Pay attention to your self-talk, the things you say to yourself, or your thoughts. Is it supporting you in getting what you want, or not? If it isn’t, consistently replace the negative with a positive.
The advantages of a positive mental attitude are innumerable, and it is likely that by improving your attitude, you will see improvements in many areas of your life. Greater health has the power to enhance your experience of those other areas of life. It all starts with your thoughts: a healthy attitude leads to a healthy body.