Aren’t people who are always happy and smiling annoying? Nothing ever seems to put them off their stride, they always greet you in the morning with a bright and cheerful ‘hello,’ and the everyday stresses and strains of existence seem to pass over their head. It isn’t their positivity that annoys us; it’s the fact that they’re able to stay so upbeat day in and day out. We’re secretly jealous of them. We wonder how they do it, and why we don’t seem to be able to maintain such a joyous outlook on life ourselves.
Here’s a little secret: These people probably aren’t all that different than you. They’re not luckier than you, or more naturally positive than you; they’re just choosing to go about their lives with a spirit of positivity because it makes them more productive and more adaptable. Imagine if you could see every obstacle as an opportunity to change course instead. Imagine you could see every setback as a chance to re-assess and think again. Wouldn’t you feel less stressed about your life in general?
The good news is that anybody can hold on to a positive mindset with a little dedication and inspiration. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Have A Waking Up Routine
Human beings are creatures of routine. We operate best when we know what’s happening next, and we don’t have to apply too much thought to make it happen. Despite that, many of us are lax about our mornings. We get up at different times, we press the snooze button, and we dramatically vary the time we get up on a weekday from the time we get up on the weekend. That makes mornings harder than they need to be. If you resent having to get out of bed every day, you’re starting out with a negative mindset that will likely still be around by lunchtime.
Always get up at the same time every day, and do something that makes you smile as quickly as possible. If having a bath makes you happy, then do it. If you don’t have time to that, listen to a favorite song. Music has a powerful effect on the brain; it can trigger emotions far more powerfully than sight or smell. If there’s a song that always gets you in the mood to go out and take on the world, make it the first track of your morning playlist.
- Choose Your Company Wisely
Even the most positive person can find themselves dragged down if they’re surrounded by people who give out nothing but negativity. The fact that negativity breeds negativity is a scientifically proven fact. If the people around you do nothing but complain – whether that’s about their jobs, their relationships, or their lives – they’re bringing nothing worthwhile into your life. They’re also likely the same people who always shoot you down when you feel like you have good news to share. If this sounds familiar, ask yourself why you’re choosing to spend time with such negative elements? Seek out happier and more positive company, and you’ll find positivity begins to radiate within you, too.
- What Goes In Comes Out
Ever heard the phrase ‘you are what you eat?’ It’s a common saying because we all know that the food we eat will affect how our bodies look and feel. It’s a shame we don’t extend the same courtesy to our brains. If we digest nothing but negative news and negative views, it’s bound to have a depressing impact on the way we perceive the world around us.
If you watch the news and read the papers regularly, it can be easy to believe the world is nothing but doom and gloom, and so you start to accept it. Try to remember that your brain is like a big online mobile casino, where chemical elements are all lining up and trying to pay out a psychological jackpot for you. If the wrong symbols line up on the reels in mobile slots, you get nothing out of your spin, and you lose your money. If the wrong images line up in your brain, then you’ll lose some of your positivity. On the flip side, when the right symbols appear in slots, you land the jackpot. Get a chain of positive thoughts going in your mind, and your reward will be dopamine, which makes you happy. It’s a chemical process of positivity! By all means, stay in touch with the news and what’s happening in the world, but ensure that you’re taking in some positive input from external sources as well.
- Start Exercising
Exercising is about more than just improving your physical health; it can do a lot for your mental health too. Going out for a run is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the world; especially if you’re able to leave the city behind for a while and head out into the countryside. Even if that’s not possible, you should be able to do at least some basic exercise within the comfort of your own home. Exercise releases endorphins, and makes us feel happier. You can pair your exercise routine up with some upbeat music to get your heart pumping. If you’re giving your body a good daily workout, you’ll also sleep better, which will make your morning routine easier to undertake. One positive habit feeds into another!
- Affirmative Language
When someone asks us how we are, most of us have one of two stock responses. The first is ‘fine,’ which implies that we’re OK, but nothing special. The second is ‘not so bad’ or ‘not too bad,’ which tells the person we’re speaking to that we’re in a bad place, but things could be worse! Why do we do this? If we’re telling other people that there’s nothing great in our lives every time we’re asked the question, is it any wonder we start to believe it? Change the way you respond to the question. Start telling people you feel fantastic, or excellent. Have a reason as well – what do you have to feel grateful for, or positive about, or pleased with? Start communicating positivity, and it will not only lift your own mood, it will boost the spirits of the people around you.
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