It is easy to dwell on the difficult and sad when times seem tough. However, thinking in a more cheerful and positive way can actually provide health benefits, including reduced risk of coronary heart disease, easier breathing for those with emphysema, and better coping skills.

“It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. But one theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.”

Positive thinking, Mayo Foundation-MER