Benefits of Thinking Positively, and How to Do It

Positive thinking isn’t magic and it won’t make all of your problems disappear. What it will do is make problems seem manageable and help you approach hardships in a more positive and productive way. Here are some tips that to get you started that can help you train your brain how to think positively.

Focus on the good things

Challenging situations and obstacles are a part of life. When you’re faced with one, focus on the positive things – no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem

• If you look for it, you can always find the proverbial silver lining in every cloud – even if it’s not immediately obvious

Start every day on a positive note

Positive thinking isn’t about burying every negative thought or emotion you have or avoiding difficult feelings

• The lowest points in our lives are often the ones that motivate us to move on and make positive changes
• Negative thinking and the many feelings that can accompany it, such as pessimism, stress, and anger, can cause a number of physical symptoms and increase your risk of diseases and a shortened lifespan.

Practice Gratitude

Think of people, moments, or things that bring you some kind of comfort or happiness and try to express your gratitude at least once a day

• This can be thanking a co-worker for helping with a project, a loved one for washing the dishes, or your dog for the unconditional love they give you

Practice positive self-talk

Be mindful of the voice in your head and respond with positive messages

• Research shows that even a small shift in the way you talk to yourself can influence your ability to regulate your feelings, thoughts, and behavior under stress
• Try saying “I’ll try it again a different way.”

Keep a gratitude journal

Write down all the things you’re grateful for to boost your mood and feelings of well-being.

Identify your areas of negativity

Take a good look at the different areas of your life and identify the ones in which you tend to be the most negative

Open yourself up to humor

Laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression

Spend time with positive people

Negativity and positivity are contagious

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