We are born with an inherent instinct for self-preservation. It is our optimistic way of approaching the world because it assumes two things: 1) There will be a future and 2) We want to be a part of that future.
However, in spite of this inherent optimism, we also carry with us certain biases that can lead to patterns of negative thinking. For example, because are wired for survival, our brains are predisposed towards looking for threats to our well-being. This leads us to weigh negative experiences as more important than positive ones. An example of this is that what is often reported through ‘mainstream news’ is predominantly veered towards negative events. In order to counteract this uneven balance, we need to train our brain to become a more positive.
Here are 5 suggestions on how to be happier and more positive in your life:
Positive Thoughts
By consciously choosing or “fixing” different thoughts you can reinforce the habit of thinking positively and decrease the amount of negative thoughts in your mind. Take the time to observe your thoughts and try to transform your negative thoughts into positive ones, e.g. “I’m so fat” is a negative thought that triggers bad feelings. By transforming this into “I know I’m fat but I’m exercising and eating healthy right now and I should see the results soon”, you are adding a positive and motivational twist to your original thought.
Gratitude
Probably the most important keys to being positive is being grateful for what you have. There is a ton of academic research out there now demonstrating the multitude of benefits that come with having an “attitude of gratitude.” People who express their gratitude by stating it out loud every day to themselves, telling someone else or keeping a gratitude journal tend to report overall significantly higher levels of wellbeing, better health, and somewhat interestingly, a tendency to be less wasteful.
Exercise
Exercise, specifically cardiovascular exercise, is absolutely essential for being a positive person. We are blessed with these bodies that are capable of all sorts of amazing things. Sadly, though, many of us use our bodies as conveyances that take us from place to place (often from our front doors to our car doors). When we work our bodies to exhaustion a lot of our nervous energy gets burned off and we are available to be more present, focused and happy.
Presence
Presence is one of the keys to positivity. Because we have such well-developed brains we can spend much of our time anchored to the past or anxious about the future. When you are focused on the now, which is the only period of time which you can be certain about, you step off the emotional rollercoaster of depression and anxiety and into the calm of present reflection.
Reflection
The last essential ingredient for positivity is reflection. When you can breathe and reflect on what truly matters you are certain to find that what matters is love, family, and community. Taking these suggestions on board and taking stock of the bounty of your life will provide you with the opportunity to be truly positive and grateful for all of your blessings.
