What if I told you a simple habit could increase your lifespan, improve your immune system, promote cardiovascular health, and lower rates of depression? Well, these are all benefits of positive thinking!
If you're looking for a way to cope with the stress of the pandemic and want to reap these benefits of positive thinking, follow these three simple steps.
STEP 1: Take a step back
First of all, you should reflect on how you think currently. How often do you find yourself thinking positively? What are these positive thoughts about? How often do you find yourself thinking negatively? What are these negative thoughts about? Do you have automatic negative thoughts (ANTs)?
This process of reflection should give you a (relatively) unbiased view of how you think, helping you recognize your unreasonable and unhelpful thoughts. Try treating yourself as you would a stranger, you’ll likely find you’re much harder on yourself than others.
STEP 2: Focus on the positive
Now that you’ve gathered a more objective view of yourself, focus on your positive thoughts. What incites these thoughts? Whatever it is, put yourself in that situation more often. Go for a walk to reduce stress and improve your mood, energy, and stamina.
Practice your favorite hobby. Smile to boost your mood and immune system. Hang out with your friends. Look up at the sky to enjoy the view and put things in perspective. Compliment a stranger every day - you’ll start looking for the good in people, including yourself. Find joy wherever you can.
STEP 3: Reframe negative as positive
Focusing on the positive won’t completely remove the negative. It's important to try reframing your situation in a more positive light - the broken elevator gives you an opportunity to get your steps in. Working remotely allows you to spend more time with your family. Baking that cake teaches you to distinctly label your sugar and salt. Some situations will be difficult to reframe, and that's okay.
Remember that thinking positively includes acknowledging hardships and being willing to feel bad - all while maintaining a positive outlook. Bad things happen, but so do good things.
If you want to stay positive during hard times, click here to download Dreamfora and add the plan ‘Positive thinking and happier living.’