You have surely heard about the ‘power of positive thinking’ and you may be wondering how to reach a positive thinking mindset. There are endless mental and health benefits of positive thinking, including: improved confidence, improved mood, less stress, stronger immune system and better health in general.
When it comes to how to have a positive mindset in life, there are some things you can do to actively have a positive mindset and stay in a positive mindset.
1. Start the day on a positive note
You know the expression, ‘someone woke up on the right (or wrong) side of the bed’? Make it a point to start each day on a positive note, as your morning can really set the done for the rest of your day. Take the time to reflect and consider what puts you in the best mindset in the morning. Perhaps a morning walk, enjoying your morning coffee outside, talking with a loved one, or taking a little extra time getting ready for the day and pampering yourself make you feel your best. Set the intention for the day: ‘Today is a good day. I will keep a positive mindset throughout.’
2. Speak kindly to yourself (and others)
Most of us are wonderful at being kind to loved ones (and other people in general), but it is just as important to show yourself the same kind of love you show your loved ones. So speak kindly to yourself and lift yourself up rather than bring yourself down. This is one of the most important things if you want to not only have a positive mindset, but also if you want to keep a positive mindset. Don’t let yourself bring yourself down! And if it does happen, call it out and bring yourself back up!
3. Surround yourself with positivity
Your environment is crucial in how it impacts your mindset. So do your best to surround yourself with positive people, positive media (that we are constantly exposed to nowadays), and positive energy. If there are, for example, accounts that you follow on social media that bring you down, make you criticize yourself, or simply just don’t add joy to your life – unfollow! You are in charge of (the majority) of what you expose yourself to every day, so surround yourself with positivity and it will be a lot easier to have and maintain a positive mindset.
4. Focus on the present
It can be all too easy to let your mind revisit the past or stress about the future. The time that needs you now, however, is the present. So focus on the present moment and stay there. This makes it a lot easier to make each moment a positive one and add positively to your mindset and to your life.
5. Be patient with yourself
While it would be a lot easier if everybody’s minds just naturally stayed in this positive mindset mode, that’s not realistic. We are only human and we will have moments that bring us down or when our minds take us somewhere that may not add positively to our overall mindset. So be patient with yourself, be mindful of what thoughts are coming into your headspace, and look at the not-so-positive thoughts as learning opportunities. Anything that comes up that may not be so positive gives you the chance to do some self-reflection and to work on an area in your life that yes, could be difficult to work through, but that will positively benefit you in the end.
6. Find your ‘go-to’
What puts a smile on your face when you are having a tough time? For the moments that you can’t just laugh off, what do you do? Do you call a friend who can always make you laugh? If you enjoy comedy shows – perhaps there is one you could download to your smart device that you could watch a clip of when you need a good laugh to get back into a positive mindset. Do you like to exercise and work your way back to a positive headspace? There are so many ways that can help you find your way back to a positive mindset and it is all about finding what works for you.
7. Practice
Even those who are naturally optimistic can have challenges with maintaining a positive mindset in the face of difficult situations. To have a positive mindset takes practice, so practice! Practice positive self-talk, patience and presence. The more you do so, the more natural and more habitual it will feel.
There is no trick for how to always have a positive mindset, nor is it realistic. As the ebbs and flows of life happen, however, you can use these tips (and more) to help you experience life and always be able to find your way back to a positive mindset.
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