Being more positive has many benefits. If you find that your head is filled with negative thoughts, you might also notice that you feel down and depressed. Thinking the worst of everything and everyone is harmful to your mental health.Fortunately, you can easily change your way of thinking.
How you think has probably been fashioned by your experiences growing up. Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can all lead to negative thinking.Sometimes though it is caused by shame about past mistakes or early experiences of neglect or abuse.
If you want to be more positive, there are a number of things that you can do to change your thinking patterns. Below are just a few things to try.
Express Gratitude
Positive people are those who can appreciate the things in their lives, even things that might seem negative. So, while paying an electricity bill might not seem like a good thing, the ability to pay it is. The fact that you have the money to pay this bill is something to be grateful for. Spend some time every morning and every evening thinking about the things that you are grateful for.
Look for the Good
No matter how small they are, look for the good things in your life. There is a saying that everything in life happens for a reason. So, even if something happens that you might perceive as bad, such as a mortgage loan falling through, consider the fact that maybe this is a good thing. It might be that you will find a better property in a few months’ time, or that your circumstances might changeand the loan could become unaffordable. It might be hard to see the positive at the time, but the more you practice gratitude and look for the positivethe easier it is to let go of the negative thinking.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the here and now. Being aware of the present and what is going on around you is a terrific way to relax and become more positive. It might be that you simply take time out to pay attention to your thoughts. By concentrating on the world around you as you do thisyou will become more self-aware, which will then improve mental clarity and wellbeing. The better your mental wellbeing, the more positive you are likely to become. The experts at Maloca Sound say that sound healing is an ancient form of mindfulness thatis great for relieving stress.
Compliment Other People
You might be surprised at how good it makes you feel when you are complimentary to other people. Take time each day to give someone a compliment. It might be your colleague who has done a good job on a project or a stranger who is wearing an item of clothing that you like. Get out of your comfort zone and make someone’s day by giving that compliment. This allows you to make a positive connection with another person, which will in turn make you feel good and more positive.
Conclusion
If you are used to thinking the worst, then changing those negative thought patterns can be tough. However, there are many ways that you can become more positive. Making small changes to how you think can have a dramatic effect on your mental wellbeing. The better your mental health, the more positive you will become. So, get into the habit of complimenting others and expressing gratitude every day. Practice mindfulness and look for the good in every situation and you will soon see your thoughts changing for the better.