Having a positive mindset is not easy when you feel like life is attacking you from several angles. However, research shows that having a positive outlook can affect you emotionally and physically in a very, you’ve got it, POSITIVE way! According to Johns Hopkins expert Lisa R. Yanek, M.P.H., “People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook.” That’s right folks, a positive mindset can modify family history when it comes to your health and wellness. That is how powerful it is! Here are some tips and tricks to creating a positive mindset.
Visualization and Redirection
Visualizing and redirecting are two ways that research has shown to be effective. We often hear people say things like “think about your happy place.” When you visualize you redirect your thought patterns by choice. If you do it often enough you may notice it beginning to happen on its own. Chetna Pattnaik of Healthshots states that, “By visualizing ourselves having and doing the things we need to succeed, we feel more confident in ourselves.” She continues further by explaining that the more confident we feel, the better decision we will make in our lives. So next time you are having a negative thought, think about a time you felt success and constantly redirect yourself back to that visualization.
Find Your Source of Inspiration
Feeling inspired when your head is in a negative mind space is challenging! Take a second to think about things that make you feel inspired, calm, loved, and safe. For example, I feel safe in the arms of the Lord while in prayer. I also feel calm and inspired when I read, listen to certain music, journal, and by reading certain quotes of inspiration. I love words! Maybe meditation is your answer, maybe it is a long, quiet and reflective walk or jog. Whatever it is, know what makes you feel inspired. One important tip… have different sources of inspiration for different sets of time and circumstances. Imagine being in a meeting where a coworker said something that made you want to jump out of your seat. You can’t get up and go for a run, but maybe you could have some quotes written in the back of you notebook or on your home screen that make you feel uplifted and safe.
Find Your Triggers
Thoughts are powerful weapons that can takeover your mind and your body. What are your triggers? What really gets to you and makes you feel uncomfortable? More importantly, why does it make you feel uncomfortable? Psychologist Mariana Plata says that, “When we know our emotional triggers, we can choose to not expose ourselves to situations that harm our mental health, or to digital content that can generate unpleasant emotions.” Although some exposures are completely out of our control, other can be managed. The more we can manage the more we can control our thoughts and emotions, creating a more positive mindset.
Gratitude and Humor
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own thoughts and experiences that we forget to have gratitude for the things we do have. The world is so much larger than us. Rather than feeling lost in it, be grateful for all the world is giving to us. Sure you can journal about the things you are grateful about, and make daily affirmations about your blessings, but look around you. Observe closely with all of your senses and you may realize you have so many more blessing than you have ever realized. Do you have food on the table? What about a shirt on your back and shoes on your feet? Do you have a family member or friend who is there to constantly support your every initiative? I often feel gratitude when I look up at the sky, look at the beautiful clouds, and feel the warm sunshine. Sometimes just the weather is a blessing in itself. Another thing we take for granted is our ability to laugh…laugh at a joke, laugh at ourselves, and laugh with others. Life doesn’t have to be so serious, as life is what you make of it. Do you want it to be positive, make it positive! In conclusion, a positive mindset will help you physically and emotionally. Change your thinking and your life may shift in a positive direction. Afraid of change? That’s a whole other post!
Sources: