Wouldn’t it be? nice be a little more optimistic?
To not jump to the worst-case scenario? Have a sunny character? Not to rush criticize yourself in the harshest terms?
It’s tempting to think that a tendency to negativity is just “who you are,” that being positive isn’t for you.
But that is not true. You can adjust your thinking patterns, challenge a negative inner voice, and develop a more positive outlook.
Just to be clear, we’re not talking about plastering really bad things or participating in toxic positivity – Looking on the bright side 100% of the time is not a fair or realistic expectation.
Instead, we strive for a change of mindset that allows us not to jump straight to the worst possible outcome.
Dawn Baxter is a certified positive psychology coach, and as such, he’s a big believer in thinking a little more clearly.
“Having a positive outlook on life is more than just being optimistic or trusting that good things will happen,” she tells Metro.co.uk.
Finding that mindset shift to a more optimistic view takes work, from reducing negative self-talk and removing toxicity from your life to focusing on what brings you happiness and enjoying those simple pleasures.
It’s no surprise that workaholics and those who struggle to self-care are at greater risk for burnout, fatigue and stress-related health problems.
“But did you know that boosting positivity can help with your mental health, reduce stress and give you more rest?”
Sounds good to us. So, how do we get to a more positive place mentally? Dawn shares five tips.
Tackling negative self-talk
“Criticism, self-doubt, and harsh inner monologues are common, so it’s nothing to get excited about,” says Dawn. “However, we can be our own harshest critic and often what our thoughts tell us is not reality.”
“If you find yourself talking negatively about actions you’ve done or thoughts you’re having, stop first. Then ask, “Would I say this to my six-year-old self?” and you will soon realize that your inner monologue can sometimes be bullying and harmful, unsupportive and caring.
“Even phrases like ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I shouldn’t have done that’ can make us feel misbehaving. Next time try “I’ll try to do that next time” and move on.’
Let go of perfectionism and comparison
Skewed towards optimism (“I can achieve more than I think”), not perfectionism (“I must achieve this extreme, lofty goal”).
And omit the constant comparison. Focus on what you are doing, not on anyone else.
“We are constantly surrounded by the image of people who have perfect lives, whether that be on Instagram or other social media or even on TV,” says Dawn. “While wanting to do things right or well is seen as a good quality, focusing on things that look or feel perfect can sometimes become obsessive and prevents us from seeing the bigger picture.
“Remember that what we see on social media or from others is often the highlights or the best version of themselves, and realize that this is the first step to break the perfectionist circle.
“Often times, social media doesn’t show the terrible night’s sleep someone has had, or the countless failed attempts that happened right before something was done right.
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we have to do exactly what others are doing to be ‘perfect’, but I guarantee you one thing, focus on yourself, not others and you will notice an energetic shift.
Change the structure of your daily life
“Often, those who want to embrace positivity find that their current routine or lifestyle isn’t working for them anymore,” Dawn says. “You may have developed habits that make you stressed or anxious and that give you no opportunity to relax or unwind.
‘It is very important to separate the parts of your day, such as your work, from your personal life, and to guard these boundaries.
‘Don’t look at your work emails in the evening if you have deliberately chosen to log out, it keeps the nervous system active and activates the fight or flight mode in our brains.
‘An important step to feeling more positive and happier is to restructure your life. This doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul, it can be as small as starting your day with joy, which involves having your favorite breakfast, going to the gym or taking a walk to start your morning.
“It doesn’t have to be at the start of the day either. For many people who are more of a night owl than an early riser, it might just be about a little self-care at the end of the day.”
“Anything from a long bath to preparing your favorite meal or reading a good book, it can all be considered an addition to your routine.”
Remember that small steps can lead to big results
When making changes, start small and build from there.
“This can make a seemingly big task of ‘being positive’ more achievable and help you break it down into manageable goals,” Dawn says.
‘Focusing on and building on small tasks or steps is known as habit stacking and is the method of building habits into an overall routine.
“This can make it easier to build up slowly to a completely positive day by adding habits as you go and removing toxic traits that no longer serve you.
Even if it doesn’t feel like things are changing, it’s important to remember that every step is still progress and progress.
“Feeling more positive doesn’t happen overnight, but taking a step in the right direction can make you feel like you’re saying goodbye to a negative routine.”
Sleep your way to positivity
Tired people are grumpy people. If you’re constantly exhausted, you’ll really struggle to change your mindset…or will you? something you want, to be honest.
“Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to embrace positivity and feel happier,” Dawn notes. ‘Lack of sleep can lead to feeling moody, depressed or even spunky and unable to cope when things don’t quite go according to plan.
“The average night’s sleep should be between six and eight hours to feel fully rested, but the reality is that we don’t always manage to do that.
“It can be hard to turn off sometimes. By creating a bedtime routine for yourself, such as journaling or mind mapping, you can clear any thoughts or worries and quickly put you to sleep before you know it.
‘When you wake up fully rested, you can embrace the day and take on all the challenges that come your way.
“Creating a more positive outlook and focusing on being positive can all start with a few small and simple steps, and before you know it, you’ll see the rewards; whether that’s sleeping better, feeling more relaxed, or being able to react more positively when problems come your way, small simple changes will quickly help you see bigger rewards.’
Dawn Baxter is the founder of Beyond The Dawn Digital, a digital marketing expert and certified positive psychology coach.
Do you have a story to share?
Contact us by email [email protected].
LAKE : Listening to birdsong for 10 minutes can be the ultimate stress relief – here’s why
LAKE : How to live in the present moment