By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
September 13, 2022
Depending on the situation or circumstance, looking on the bright side can be a struggle. After all, finding a raincloud’s silver lining does little to keep you dry. According to Statista, however, 50 percent of Americans consider themselves optimistic, so there must be something to be said about bright sides and silver linings.
Positivity has a number of benefits. Optimists have more and better relationships, fewer illnesses and health issues, and stronger coping skills . Still, optimism does not come easy for everyone. If you sometimes struggle to see the positive side of a situation, here are some tips to add a rosy tint to your glasses.
- Recognize negative thoughts.
Negative thinking gets in the way of seeing the glass as half full. However, simply telling yourself to think happy thoughts is seldom helpful. Instead, change your outlook by recognizing your negative thoughts and taking note of what is causing them. Are these thoughts often about a certain aspect of your life, like a stress at home, a frustrating coworker or a long commute? Writing down your negative thoughts may be helpful. Once you can identify the source of these thoughts, you are ready to take the next step.
- Reframe those negative thoughts.
Strong emotions often go hand-in-hand with negative thoughts. We can feel anxious, helpless, resentful, frustrated, worried or even angry, and these emotions can further fuel negativity. To reframe your thoughts, set aside the emotion and focus on the facts of the situation. Do you have proof or evidence to back up your thoughts? Or are you jumping to conclusions or a worst-case scenario? Think about what you can control right now and the positive that can come from reframing your thoughts.
- Allow yourself to laugh.
They say laughter is the best medicine. While this is not always true, there is no doubt laughing is good for us. Laughter releases endorphins and reduces stress and tension. When we are less stressed, staying positive and keeping our mood up gets easier.
Remember the last time you watched a comedy or a funny YouTube video? Odds are you were in a better mood by the end. Try watching your next comedy with family or friends. It is even harder not to smile when your loved ones are laughing with you.
- Consider talking with someone.
Sometimes talking through negative thoughts with a trusted friend or loved one can help us focus on the positive. However, if negative thinking becomes a daily habit and starts affecting your relationships, draining the joy out of the things you love or severely impacts your mood, consider contacting a qualified mental health provider to get help.
Other ways to increase positivity in your life include a healthy diet and regular exercise to reduce stress levels. Spending more time with optimists and less time with pessimists will also give you a mood boost. Try different approaches and see what works best for you. Keep in mind, just because today is National Positivity Day does not mean you are limited to one day. You can build healthy habits that make your entire year a positive one!
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