Have you ever had a downward spiral of negative thoughts put you in a bad mood for the rest of the day? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Sometimes it can feel impossible to get out of a slump, but we’re here to tell you how to actively be more optimistic, and how doing so will change your life!
According to Mayo Clinic, there are quite a few benefits of positive thinking. We’re talking: an increased life span, lower rates of depression, better psychological and physical well-being, and improved cardiovascular health! While positive thinking is obviously not the only thing you can do to enjoy these healthy benefits, it certainly does improve your overall wellness, so why not give it a go?
We’re all different, so it comes as no surprise that negative self-talk varies in form from person to person. Thankfully, Mayo Clinic identifies a few forms of negative thinking that we can get caught up in, so we can acknowledge the root of this negativity and shift our mindset accordingly. First, there’s filtering, which happens when we exaggerate the negative aspects of a situation or focus solely on the negative where positive exists. So, next time you find yourself filtering a situation, try to focus in on the positive rather than the negative – believe us, it’s possible to find something good in nearly every situation!
Then, there’s self-blaming. When it comes to our mindset and our mental wellness, experts recommend we stop blaming ourselves for things out of our control. If there’s nothing we can do about it, why stress? This kind of thinking can also lead to catastrophizing – a.k.a., expecting the worst. For those who struggle with anxiety or overly anxious thoughts, we know that this thought pattern presents itself fairly frequently. However, it’s still possible to shift the way you think. For instance, next time you’re expecting the worst to happen, think: if the worst really is about to happen, would you rather enjoy yourself and be stress-free in this moment, or do you truly want to stress yourself out right now over something that you’ll only really be able to deal with in the future? Most likely, you’ll realize that a) it’s unlikely that the worst will in fact happen, and b) you’re better off being positive if you’re confident that you’ll soon have to deal with a catastrophe. Finally, when going through negative self-talk and thoughts, you may experience polarizing: the act of labelling things as either good or bad, without being able to perceive the possibility of a middle ground. In life, not everything will be sunshine and rainbows, but it’s definitely not black and white either; if you’re able to find even a sliver of positivity in a bad situation, you’re doing a great job! So, do your best to view positivity as a spectrum: things won’t always be perfect, but there’s more than just “good” or “bad.”
Ultimately, acknowledging your negative self-talk is the first step in the right direction, but if you need an extra little push to make the shift to positive thinking, try:
- Getting a good amount of exercise
- Reflecting on your thought processes
- Limiting time spent on social media
- Laughing (you could watch some funny TikToks, or call a friend)
- Giving yourself adequate breaks from stressful assignments
- Getting lots of rest
Having read this article is already a good start – now you’re ready to get out there, think positively, and see how being optimistic changes everything! Remember: happy mindset = happy life.
For more information on positivity and changing your mindset for the better, check out The Positive Edge’s resources, which include articles, books, and helpful websites!