Positivity (Positive Thoughts) Positivity is a State of Mind
Positivity is a state of mind that we all strive for, but it isn’t always simple to accomplish. Maintaining a positive outlook during COVID-19 was difficult, to begin with. Positive ideas were something we all aspired to attain when the entire globe was suffering and we were all in this together. Many of us were sceptics of positive thinking. When there was so much negativity in the world, we used to wonder if it was even possible to look on the bright side.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary definition, positivity is: “The practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.”
That’s correct. Positivity is a learned skill, not a natural trait. Positive thinking, like running or learning to play the guitar, is a skill that improves with practice. Furthermore, scientists are discovering that the power of positive thinking is more than just a fad: it may truly rewire our brains to rewrite trauma and break negative thought patterns.
When you think about something that makes you happy, your brain releases endorphins, the happiness hormone, which gives you a general sense of well-being and helps you build a positive attitude.
Power of self
The power of self goes beyond words. Self-confidence, Self-love, Self Belief, Self-care, Self-esteem Get yourself right first!
Our sense of self is an essential component of who we are. Self-esteem, self-worth, self-love, and self-care are all intertwined and something that everyone should practice regularly.
One of the most critical steps on the road to success is to develop self-confidence. It transforms a person into someone self-sufficient, enthusiastic, optimistic and loving. A self-assured person is more capable of practising self-love. You gain self-confidence and self-worth as a result of loving yourself, and you feel more positive in general.
Nothing will be able to stop you from moving forward if you believe in yourself. After all of these self-absorption abilities, it’s critical to look after yourself. When you make time for yourself and nourish yourself, you are practising self-care. It’s something that needs to be done regularly.
Positive thoughts
Positive thinking is a mental and emotional state in which one concentrates on optimistic thoughts and expects positive outcomes. It’s a way of thinking that anticipates happiness, health, and success. It’s a positive mindset. Positive thinking plays an important role in positive psychology, a subfield devoted to the study of what makes people happy and fulfilled.
Positive thinking has been shown in studies to help with stress management and possibly play a role in overall health and well-being. It can help you overcome low self-esteem, improve your physical health, and broaden your perspective on life.
A 2018 study, with a 35-year of span, published in the Journal of Aging Research discovered that having a good mental attitude was connected to lower mortality. People with a more optimistic outlook were also more likely to engage in regular physical activity, refrain from smoking, consume a healthier diet, and sleep better.
According to another research, having more optimistic automatic thoughts helps people become more resilient in the face of adversity. People who have high levels of positive thinking were more likely to walk away from stressful life events with a higher sense of the meaningfulness of life.
Positive thinking/positive thoughts have been related to a variety of health advantages, including:
Stress management and more effective coping techniques
Improved psychological well-being
Resistance to the common cold is improved.
Physical well-being is improved.
Longer life expectancy
Depression rates are lower.
Reduced chance of mortality from cardiovascular disease
How can you maintain your positivity?
When put into practice, the definition of positivity is advantageous. Here are the top 5 guidelines that you can follow:
1. Practice Mindfulness
Research has shown that those who practice mindfulness are calmer, have better recollections, and are more creative than those who do not. This is because neural connections program our brains.
The more you work on a particular impulse (e.g. positivity), the stronger it becomes. Just like when you work on a muscle in the gym. The neurons that you aren’t using will eventually die. Habits are formed in this manner.
2. Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude exercises are surprisingly easy to do. Write down three things for which you are grateful during a time of day that is convenient for you (late at night is preferable).
3. Start writing a journal
If you’re going through a difficult moment in your life, keeping a positive journal can help you get back on track. Here you can keep your gratitude lists, scribble inspirational phrases, and save photographs that make you happy.
4. Observe your thoughts
Try not to label them as “good” or “bad” or get too invested. Watch them pass like traffic in your mind. Don’t try to stop them or intervene.
5. Take out time for yourself
Every day, set aside 5-10 minutes to sit with yourself and just do nothing. No phone, no book, no TV, no music. Only you and your thoughts.
Conclusion
To summarize, being aware of yourself and different elements of yourself, as well as practising good thinking, can significantly improve the quality of your life and assist you in dealing with obstacles.
When it comes to positive thinking, there are several traps to be aware of. While having an optimistic perspective is crucial, having unreasonably high expectations might lead to disappointment. Toxic positivity, or the inability to accept any negative emotions, can hurt mental health.
