Positivity is often looked down upon as an irritating personality quirk. However, it’s not what we are, it is something we do.
On this World Mental Health Day, we remind everyone to embrace positivity. “The practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.”
That’s right. Positivity is a practice, not something you’re born with. Just like running or learning the guitar, positivity is a skill you get better at the more you do it. What's more, scientists are now learning that the power of positive thinking is more than just a buzzword – it can rewire our brains to rewrite trauma and overcome negative thinking patterns.
Optimists look for the positive in every situation and generally are seen as upbeat. We are people who look on the bright side.
Yes, positive thinking can change your life. Studies have found that positive thinking helps you live longer, reduces loneliness, and more. But the most life-changing effect of positive thinking has to do with the law of attraction. This is the idea that what you focus on, you attract.
Kindness, or doing good, often means putting other people's needs before our own. It could be by giving up our seat on a bus to someone who might need it more or offering to make a cup of tea for someone at work.
Doing kind things for strangers helps build cooperation, trust, and a sense of safety in our communities. It also helps us to see others more positively and empathize with them. These are the foundations of a thriving local community and a flourishing society - one that builds well-being all around.
Mindful
Studies show that people who practice mindfulness are calmer, have better memories, and are more creative than those who don't. This is because our brains are programmed by neural connections. Like working a muscle in the gym, the more you work on a particular neuron (e.g. positivity), the stronger it gets. The neurons you don't use will eventually disappear. This is how habits form.
Here are some tips to help you become more mindful:
- Observe your thoughts: Try not to label them as "good" or "bad" or get too invested. Watch them pass like traffic in your mind. Don't try to stop them or intervene.
- Do one thing at a time: When you’re eating, for example, just eat. Don't watch TV listen to music or work on your computer. Focus on the tastes and textures of the food in your mouth.
- Do nothing: Every day, set aside 5-10 minutes to sit with yourself and just do nothing. No phone, no book, no TV, no music. Only you and your thoughts.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is surprisingly simple. Find a time of day that suits you (the last thing at night works best) and write down three things for which you are grateful.
You may choose something as small as a hot shower or the coffee you drank on your way to work, or as general as support from your friends and family. If you’re unable to get out of bed due to mental or physical illness, be thankful that you have a soft pillow and a comforting space to rest and recover.
Blog
If you’re going through a challenging time in your life, starting a positivity journal could help you achieve a happier mindset. You can keep your gratitude lists here, jot down inspiring quotes and collect images that make you feel good.
When you're having a particularly bad day, you can look back at your positivity journal and know that there are things in life to feel good about.