Growing a Positive Mindset
Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. But how can make ourselves think positively when we are having a really disastrous day, week, or month? Here are a few small tips that are easy to incorporate and can lead to big results.
1. Start your day with a positive intention.
For example, “I will make this a great day” or “No matter what happens today, I will do my best.” This helps ready your mind for a positive attitude throughout the coming day.
2. Change your language.
Replace “have” with “get.” For example, “I have to cook dinner” becomes “I get to cook dinner,” or “I have to go to work/school” becomes “I get to go to work/school.” This promotes a more grateful attitude of our daily obligations or necessary tasks.
3. Reframe roadblocks.
When obstacles come up in life, try viewing these as challenges or opportunities to grow, change direction, and build resiliency. For example, a bad interview can be viewed as practice for future interviews, instead of seeing it as a failure. Another example, being stuck in traffic can be seen as an opportunity for more time spent listening to music and decompressing from a long day.
4. Find something to look forward to each day.
This may be watching a favorite show, trying a new recipe, exploring a different workout, or engaging in much needed self-care! Do things that make you feel relaxed, happy, and optimistic every day!
5. Surround yourself with positive supports as much as possible.
Reduce time spent around people that are often negative or that leave you feeling drained. Try increasing time spent around others who are typically optimistic or good at solving problems. Also, help increase the positivity of others through modeling; offer sincere compliments to others or acknowledge the strengths you observe in those around you.