Why being positive keeps you slim: Psychologist explains how your mindset is ...

Nearly three-quarters of men and 60 percent of women are overweight or obese in the US, and roughly 60 percent of all British adults.  

That means most UK and US adults have high risks of of depression, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and premature death.

In a bid to curb the obesity epidemic, health officials are imploring everyone to put more veg and less meat on their plates, consume less sugar and trans fats, and get moving more. 

According to Dr Aria, a Harley Street psychologist who specializes in sustainable weight loss, there is another key factor: your emotional health. 

Scores of recent studies have found a powerful link between our psychology, our weight, and our overall well-being.

Here Dr Aria explains the positive styles of thinking linked to sustainable weight loss and how you can shift your perspective to improve your health.

Dr Aria (pictured) reveals 3 science-based ways to develop a positive mindset

Dr Aria (pictured) reveals 3 science-based ways to develop a positive mindset

How is body size linked to a positive mindset?

Our mindset is a collection of beliefs, attitudes and expectations that shapes how we feel and what we do. Every emotion you feel and every action you take regarding what to eat, how much to eat and how much exercise you do is influenced by your mindset.

Thinking that you can’t change your size due to your genetics can have an impact on your body. If you believe that obesity mainly has a genetic foundation, certain cognitive biases can become activated in the mind. You’re then more likely to overestimate the contribution of genetics and view your situation as inescapable and beyond your personal control.

Research shows that the belief that genetics has ‘a lot’ to do with obesity is associated with lower levels of physical activity and less vegetable and fruit consumption. Believing that we have little control over how fat we become can have a knock-on effect on our food and exercise choices, resulting in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The latest scientific findings indicate that our mindset guides our actions to fall in line with our expectations. A recent study published in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that the more weight that participants in the trial expected to lose, the more weight they actually lost one year later. 

The health benefits of positive thinking 

Believing that a positive future lies ahead of you impacts your mind as well as your body. Decades of research has found that optimistic thinkers have:

· Healthier hearts and lungs

· Stronger immune systems

· A higher likelihood of surviving cancer

· A faster rate of recovery from surgery

· Lower risk of depression and anxiety

· Greater resilience to stress

· A higher quality of life

· Longer lives

The data strongly suggests that the mental attitude of expecting good things to happen can have a profound effect on your emotional and physical health.

Why is a positive outlook good for your health?

Adopting an optimistic outlook appears to increase the likelihood of making healthier choices. 

Research shows that people who are hopeful that good things will happen tend to exercise more, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink moderately and have better quality sleep. A virtuous cycle can develop, as you feel better and more motivated to make other

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