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Journalism of Courage
Life can get very demanding. Problems creep up unexpectedly. Stress, anxiety and depression are lurking over one’s shoulder. Positive thinking is a popular topic of interest and discussion. Though it does come across as a cliché, staying positive doesn’t mean looking cheerful and ignoring problems. Instead, it is more about one’s overall viewpoint on life with a disposition to pay attention to all that is well. Thinking good and ‘positive’ thoughts can do much more for a person than improving moods or reducing issues. It will help you find peace of mind, improve your emotional life, and make life’s ups and downs easier to deal with.
According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, USA, positive thinking can increase lifespan, lower rates of depression, improve cardiovascular health, and help build coping skills to manage during challenging times.
Training yourself to look at the brighter side of things can help you reap benefits for your mental health and well-being.
Befriend your Mind – Sometimes, you may have a stream of negative thoughts which can take over your entire day. Finding another perspective is crucial so that you don’t drown in them. A technique used often and one you can easily try is to write down the most pressing one and ask yourself what you would say to a friend who is in the same situation. The more you cultivate in this process, the easier it will become to find a positive perspective in your day.
Take for instance, a negative thought such as ‘I am a failure’, or ‘I can’t get anything right’, plagues your mind; what would you say to a friend who says this? You would probably encourage them by saying, ‘You have done well in different areas of your life. You are smart and a resourceful person, not a failure.’ Use the same strategy for yourself.
Motivating Mornings – How you start the morning sets the tone for the day. Start your day with a self-affirming positive statement. Talk to yourself and say, “Today will be a productive day” or “I’m going to have an amazing day.” This exercise prepares your mind from the morning and sets the vibe you want to embrace throughout the day.
Social Group – Certain people share inspiring stories, openly discuss their imperfections and learnings, and have a positive outlook. Being in such a company will affect your line of thinking, spark positivity and growth. It’s not easy to always find such positive and resilient individuals, but you can limit the constant interactions with those in a negative state of mind.
Gratitude Gift – Gratitude is a simple word with a powerful meaning. It is appreciating all that you have while celebrating the present. This will programme your mind to recognize the wonderful aspects of your life. Your gratitude cues could be anything small or big, such as memories with your loved ones, achievements of the day, perhaps, even having great Wi-Fi and internet access! You will gradually experience a mood change, from gloomy, low and hostile to a sense of satisfaction and positivity.
I am not saying to avoid or suppress negative emotions and thoughts. Situations occur where thinking about the negative consequences can spring one into action when needed. This is the positive use of negative thinking. However, more often than not, we are caught up in thoughts that cripple us.
Therefore, incorporate these guidelines in any situation during the day to stay positive. Positive thinking has compounding returns, so the more that you practice it, the more peace and harmony you will experience.
(Shubhika Singh is a senior consultant psychologist specialising in young adults and the co-founder of Innerkraft.com based in Kolkata)
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