The mind is the most complex organism in the known universe, and can affect your health. Self-fulfilling prophecy and the power of positive thinking can change one's life
The most powerful part of the human body is the mind. It is capable of making more connections than there are stars in space, and is the most complex organism in the known universe. With potential like this, there is little wonder why science does still not fully understand it. However, it is known that it affects the body and health at least as much as external factors. Altering one's mindset can open up a whole new world; this is the power of positive thinking.
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
The 20th century sociologist Robert K. Merton is credited with coining the phrase “self-fulfilling prophecy”, which he describes thus:
The self-fulfilling prophecy is, in the beginning, a false definition of the situation evoking a new behaviour which makes the original false conception come 'true'. This specious validity of the self-fulfilling prophecy perpetuates a reign of error. For the prophet will cite the actual course of events as proof that he was right from the very beginning.
The basic idea behind this has been discussed for centuries, with literature concerning the subject dating back from ancient Greece. Put simply, when one decides that he is going to fail, then this increases the chances of doing so. This in turn reinforces the idea that he was right about being a failure, and he will consequently continue to fall short in anything he does.
Positive Thinking
If a person accepts that he is failing because of his mindset – not his actual abilities – then this is the first step to creating a more positive outlook on life. Psychologists use this knowledge to help huge numbers of people who come to them for help. Sports psychologists also use the same principle to improve the performance of top athletes. In a boxing match, for instance, it is often possible to see who is going to win the fight just by watching the contestants walk to the ring; if the occasion is getting to them, or they feel intimidated somewhat, then their chance of winning is greatly reduced. This is because people's abilities are greatly enhanced when they believe in themselves; lack of confidence causes the person to be more cautious and renders him unable to perform at his best.
In the modern world, many people are afraid to take risks and follow their dreams because they believe it cannot work for them. Psychologists hypothesise that it is this small margin of doubt which separates the minority who do succeed from the majority who do not. A good example of this can be seen in the self-confidence levels of a football team that wins championships compared to one that languishes toward the bottom of the league.
Health Benefits of Positive Thinking
Stress and depression are widely regarded as having adverse affects on heatlh, signifying that mental illness can have a physiological effect on the body. What is not often as widely accepted, however, is the opposite point: that positive mental performance has an advantageous effect on the body. Recent scientific research corroborates this, showing that a positive outlook on life leads to improved health.
