We’ve all had rough times in our lives, but have you ever been in a slump so powerful that you just can’t shake it no matter how hard you try? It’s easy to become comfortable in the mindset that the world is out to get you and your luck has run out, but have you ever considered changing your thoughts since you can’t change your circumstance? While it’s easier said than done, turning your negativity into positivity can be one of the most beneficial things you can do not only for your mind, but your body as well. Here’s how:
What are you thankful for? When life gets you down, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important in the grand scheme of things. The mere fact that you’re reading this article right now is something to be grateful for! One helpful hint to rid the negative thoughts is to simply remind yourself daily of what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong. Starting a gratitude journal can be a good way to not only put your blessings in words, but can also be used as a reference to look back on.
It’s all about the ratio (No worries, this isn’t math-related) Regardless of this strategy requiring no mathematical skill on your part, it does require some mental work that can at first seem difficult and impossible at the time, but will eventually pay off. The 3-to-1 ratio is presented in the book Positivity by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, and basically states that in order transform negativity, you must have three positive thoughts for every negative you have. On a science-based level, this finding suggests that the 3-to-1 ratio is effective enough to not allow negativity to affect your mental well-being, but small enough so that you remain practical in your overall thinking. The book is highly recommended!
Stay mindful. Mindfulness is a topic that needs to be discussed in its own light because of its simple yet complex nature, however in brief, it’s a good tool to stay positive. The practice of mindfulness comes down to the art of staying in the present. To be mindful, one must fully live in the now without dwelling in the past or becoming anxious of the future. To dwell is to ruminate in the Psych world, and is one of the biggest components of depression and anxiety, which we all know feed off negative thoughts. Try to remember your purpose right now, not mistakes you may have made along the way and not what the outcome could be if you do make a mistake. A good read that serves as a reminder on how to stay mindful would be Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Concentrate on what you want. While some may believe that the Law of Attraction is just a mystical way of thinking, I believe there to be some truth behind it. The Law of Attraction states that what you think, you attract; so why not give it a try? If you’re constantly concentrating on what you don’t want in your life, you’re more likely to attract that into your life. I know you all have experienced not wanting to see someone, and eventually you see them everywhere, am I right? Instead of focusing on what you don’t want to happen, focus on what you do want. You might be surprised with the results. A good source for this Law is the documentary The Secret, in either book or Netflix.
These are just a few ways to boost your positivity every day, but it’s a work in progress. You can’t learn how to transform your thoughts overnight, but I can guarantee that if you change your outlook on life, you’ll be happy with what comes next.