6 Ways to Think Positive

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the problems in our lives disappeared? Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. But that doesn’t mean life is all gloomy and depressing, right? Life has many positives to offer as well and, for the sake of our well-being, we have to think positively to become the best versions of ourselves. If you’ve been feeling under the weather recently, here are ten ways to lift your spirits and make positive thinking an integral part of your life.

1. Say no to negativity

The first step towards becoming a person who thinks positively is to understand where the underlying negativity within you is stemming from. Practicing conscious thinking will allow you not just to understand the sources of all the negativity inside, but also to prevent them from festering inside and becoming something too big for you to control.

2. Find silver linings in every black cloud

You’re supposed to go out with your best friend but he cancels the plan at the last minute, leaving you sad and dejected. However, if you learn to find the good in bad situations, you can leave your sadness behind. Just think about it; the canceled plan leaves you free to pursue other things. Why not watch a movie at home instead or do something else that you really enjoy?

3. Laugh and smile as much as possible

Agreed, putting on a smile or forcing yourself to laugh is difficult when you’re facing a tough situation, but if you can manage it, it’ll reward you in the long run. According to studies, smiling and laughing can significantly reduce your stress and anxiety levels and improve your overall mood. Humor is one of the greatest natural healers. So, keep yourself open to it irrespective of the circumstances you’re caught up in.

4. Keep positive company

How we feel is often down to the company we keep. If the people you spend time with consistently complain about their respective situations in life and dwell too much on the negatives, you’re bound to feel low sooner or later. Instead, spend your time with people who don’t just wish well for you, but show it through their words and actions as well. As they say, we are the sum of the five people we hang around.

5. Say good things to yourself

What you tell yourself can often shape your mood. For instance, if you’re up against something difficult and you tell yourself, “It’s just too hard for me”, you’re more likely to give up than to give it your best shot. However, if you say, “It’s hard but if I try, I can do it”, you’re motivating yourself through words of encouragement; sounds much better than the former option, doesn’t it?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." ~Henry Ford

6. Be grateful

Being grateful and expressing gratitude regularly can significantly alter how you feel about yourself and the world, and also how others feel about you. Think about the people who impacted your life positively and thank them for being there for you whenever you get the opportunity. Doing this will also increase the respect that others have for you and subsequently, they’ll be grateful to you as well. I recently wrote "thank you" cards to each of the supporters on my podcast. It was a great feeling as they say, "Kindness is its own reward."

Bonus: Look up

It is statistically proven that the majority of people who look down are thinking negative thoughts or dwelling on the past. While the people who look up are "looking forward" to the future and thinking more positively. Don't just take my word for it. Try it out for yourself! See how easy it is to think positive with your chin up, and see how difficult it can be when your head is tilted down.

The quality of life that you experience isn’t just about how much money you make and how many things you can buy. Ultimately, it’s all about what you feel on the inside. Persistent negative thinking is known to be a precursor to a wide range of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders, which can greatly impact your physical health as well. So, instead of harboring negative thoughts and feelings, practice these ways to become a person who thinks and lives positive, no matter what the situation is.

Thanks for reading! My hope is that this will have inspired you to start thinking in a different way. Instead of searching for reasons to doubt, opt for the optimistic approach! 🙏🏾