You’ve probably heard of the “power of positive thinking” before. But it’s easy to ignore an idea that sounds too good to be true. After all, you can’t really change your life by just changing your outlook, right?

Wrong.

To see how impactful positive thinking is, you first have to look at your negative thinking. Negative thoughts and self-talk can wreak havoc on your life. It can cause depression, anxiety, and will increase symptoms of anxiety and depression. But, when you’re able to turn those thoughts around and focus on positivity, instead, you can absolutely change your life. Research has shown, positive thinking can reduce symptoms of excessive worry with anxiety disorders. If it seems easier said than done, it doesn’t have to be.

Let’s look at five ways positive thinking will change your life. The more you understand about it, the more motivated you’ll be to make it a priority.

1. You’ll Feel More in Control

When negative thoughts start to creep into your mind, it’s easy to feel like they’re “moving in” and trying to take ownership of everything you do. As a result, it’s easy to feel out of control with worry, but positive thinking puts you back in the driver’s seat. As a result, you’ll feel a sense of tranquil, steady control that will make you more content and more confident in everyday decisions.

2. It Promotes a Positive Attitude

Choosing to think positively can actually spill over into your general attitude. For example, positive thinking helps to release endorphins inside of your brain. Those can make you feel happier and more energetic. So your positive attitude will be contagious, and you’ll certainly be able to showcase it to others.

3. It Makes You More Resilient

There’s no question that life is tough sometimes. Things will “knock you down” when you least expect it. But it’s what you do in response that really matters. Unfortunately, negative thinking will cause you to stay down, more often than not.

You might not see the point in fighting back against a difficult situation or trying to move forward, but when you think positively, you’ll bounce back faster. You’ll tend to look at the bigger picture to see what you can accomplish if you keep trying.

4. You’ll Be More Grateful

Thinking positively allows you to recognize the good things in your life from the right perspective. Too often, people get caught up wanting things they don’t have or lamenting the situations they’re in.

When you choose to have a positive perspective, you won’t focus on what you don’t have. Rather, you’ll shift your attention to what you do have and show gratitude for that. Gratitude will almost always put you in a better mood, continuing a positive cycle that will help you see even more things you should be grateful for each day.

5. You’ll Lead a Healthier Life

Negative thinking can quickly drag you down and make you see yourself as being “less than.” Positive thinking does just the opposite. Positivity can boost your self-esteem. It can boost your confidence and sense of self-worth enough to encourage you to make better choices.

As a result, you’re more inclined to lead a healthier life. Positive thinking can be a motivator for exercising, eating right, and taking care of your well-being. But, again, that’s cyclical. The more you take care of yourself, the better you’ll feel. The better you feel, the easier it is to adopt a positive mindset.

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If you’re worried that positive thinking is easier said than done, that’s understandable, but it is easier than you think. By making a few simple changes to your perspective, you’ll start to see how easy it is to develop a positive attitude. Eventually, it will become second nature, and you can enjoy the countless benefits for the rest of your life.