Latest news with #positivethinking
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Being hopeful could prevent heart attacks
Heart patients who give up hope are six times more likely to die than people who keep an upbeat outlook about their future, new research shows. Boosting emotional wellbeing could improve survival rates, according to experts at the British Heart Foundation who found the power of positive thinking has a protective effect on health. Researchers reviewed 12 studies involving 5,540 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke, or heart valve problems in new research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester. Meanwhile, having less hope was associated with an increased risk of a first heart attack in people with no previous history of chest pain, even after taking into account other risk factors like age, perceived health status, depression and socioeconomic risk factors. In men with pre-existing heart problems, hopelessness was linked to a six-fold higher risk of death. Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the foundation, said: 'This research is a good reminder of how staying hopeful wherever possible can be helpful when it comes to living with cardiovascular disease. 'It could be an important self-prescription for maintaining your wellbeing and quality of life, alongside your current medical care.' The review also showed that more hope was linked to reduced cardiovascular symptoms like chest pain and post-stroke fatigue. The authors are now hoping to conduct research to find out whether it is possible to boost patients' hope, for example by introducing specialist therapy, or chaplaincy support while in hospital, in case this could help improve health and lower death rates in this at-risk group. Dr Alexander Montasem, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Liverpool and author on the study, said: 'For many people, living with cardiovascular disease can be a difficult experience. 'Patients often struggle with debilitating symptoms as well as anxiety about the future. This study aimed to reveal more about how people's outlook on their situation can influence their health. 'Our systematic review suggests that hopelessness could increase people's risk of death, but also their symptoms and how well they stick to treatment plans. Mental health support could be very beneficial for a wide range of people with heart problems.' One study reviewed by the team found that higher levels of hope protected women against experiencing angina – pain or discomfort in the chest often caused by coronary heart disease. And in research on stroke patients of both sexes, greater hope was strongly linked to reduced levels of post-stroke fatigue. Six studies included psychological data, which showed that more hope was linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, and improved resilience and quality of life. Those with higher hope scores may have had a reduced risk because they also showed greater levels of self-care and were less likely to skip taking their medications, the data showed. Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'The review showed that people with hope followed their treatment plans more closely, and it's important to remember that the best thing you can do for your health is to follow the advice recommended by your doctor. 'Looking after your physical and emotional wellbeing is important for people living with cardiovascular disease, and if anyone is struggling, they should speak to their medical team.'
Health Line
08-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What Are Self-Affirmations and How Can They Help You?
Self-affirmations can help increase your self-worth and motivation. With regular practice, you can shift your focus toward your strengths and adapt to new circumstances more easily. Self-affirmation theory asserts that we are motivated to maintain a positive view of ourselves. When our self-view is threatened or contradicted, we can use positive statements about ourselves to strengthen or reaffirm our core values and beliefs. These statements are known as self-affirmations. When we are faced with a situation that challenges our self-view, repeating self-affirmations may help to manage the situation and reduce the need to react defensively. Learn more about what the science says about self-affirmation theory and how you can incorporate it effectively into your daily life. What is self-affirmation theory, and what are the benefits? Self-affirmation theory was popularized by social psychologist Claude Steele in the 1980s. It states that we all want to maintain a positive view of ourselves. If someone shakes our sense of self by providing new and challenging information, we often experience discomfort. But we can work to resolve any conflicting information by affirming the beliefs we hold about ourselves through positive statements known as self-affirmations. Positive self-talk can help us strengthen our core values and better understand our sense of self, according to research from 2021. And research from 2015 shows that self-affirmations have several potential benefits, such as: reducing stress increasing well-being improving work or academic performance encouraging us to be more open to behavioral changes It's important to remember that self-affirmations are not an alternative to mental health care. They may also not work for everyone. We all have different needs when it comes to managing our health and may require various approaches to feel our best. For example, if you regularly experience low motivation or low self-esteem, it may be beneficial for you to connect with a mental health professional. They can work with you to understand any obstacles you may be experiencing and put together an effective treatment plan that considers your individual needs. How to create positive affirmations that work When creating your affirmations, it can be helpful to consider your personal beliefs and goals. This can allow you to identify areas in your life where you would like to see improvement or growth. For example, if you desire to become more confident, start by considering any limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. You can then use this to create a positive statement that works to empower you, such as 'I am confident in my abilities and talents.' It can also be helpful to set your affirmations in the present tense, as if it is already a behavior or concept you are modeling in your life. You can do this by creating affirmations that sound like an individual statement, such as: 'I am capable of achieving my goals.' 'I love and accept myself.' 'I am resilient and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.' 'I have the power to create the life I desire.' 'I am safe. I am loved.' 'I am more than my thoughts.' 'I am intelligent and resourceful.' 'I belong here. I am enough.' 'I am worthy of love and kindness.' How to incorporate self-affirmation into your daily life To get the most out of self-affirmations, it can be helpful to create a routine that encourages regular or daily use. This could look like: Saying them at a set time each day: Consider having a set time to repeat your affirmations to yourself, such as first thing in the morning or during your commute to work. Placing reminders around your home: It can often be beneficial to have visual reminders to practice your affirmations. This could look like placing sticky notes in areas where you spend a lot of time, such as your work desk. Saying them with intention: When repeating your affirmations to yourself, it's important to focus on the words and take a moment to reflect on their meaning. Journaling your growth: Consider taking some time each week to journal about your goals and any growth you are experiencing. You can also use this as a moment of reflection to see if you need to adapt or change your affirmations to serve you better. It's important to be patient when practicing self-affirmation and to work on building a routine. It may take some time before you begin to notice changes. Frequently asked questions What is the self-affirmation theory? Self-affirmation theory states that we are motivated to maintain a positive view of ourselves. When our self-view is threatened, we can use positive statements about ourselves to strengthen or reaffirm our core values and beliefs. Self-affirmation theory states that we are motivated to maintain a positive view of ourselves. When our self-view is threatened, we can use positive statements about ourselves to strengthen or reaffirm our core values and beliefs. What are examples of self-affirmations? Examples of self-affirmations include individual statements that are set in the present tense, such as: 'I love and accept myself.' 'I am resilient and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.' 'I have the power to create the life I desire.' 'I am safe. I am loved.' Examples of self-affirmations include individual statements that are set in the present tense, such as: 'I love and accept myself.' 'I am resilient and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.' 'I have the power to create the life I desire.' 'I am safe. I am loved.' Takeaway Self-affirmation theory follows the concept that we are motivated to maintain a positive self-view of ourselves. When this is challenged, we can use positive statements about ourselves to strengthen or reaffirm our core values and beliefs. These statements are known as self-affirmations. Using self-affirmations in your daily life can have several benefits, such as strengthening your core values and leading to a better understanding of your sense of self.
