Positivity is a state of mind, built from habits and thought patterns that we’ve established over years and years. The mental maps and wiring in our brain gives us cues on how to perceive things, it gives us clues on whether we should be worried, happy, sad or excited. It bases our reactions on our past actions and the consequences, or at least perceived consequences that were a result of those actions.
So how can we be more positive in life?
Smile
Smiling is scientifically proven to make us feel better! It might sound strange, after all, don’t we smile because we’re happy? Well, here’s some science for you! The physical act of smiling causes the release of the chemical dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that is, in part responsible for our mood. With the release of dopamine we feel happier, so the more we smile the happier we will be.
It might feel silly but get used to smiling.
Practice gratitude
It’s easy to think about all the things that we have to do or sort out, and we can easily skip over the great things are also happening in our lives.
Take a minute each day to make a list of the things that you’re grateful for, whether it be a great nights sleep, being able to have breakfast with your children, or a coffee in the sunshine. Not only can writing these things down be a reminder of the things that make use happy, but it can provide real perspective on life.
Surround yourself with positivity
We are emotional sponges, we can feel the type of energy that a person gives out, and it can directly affect our mood. If you surround yourself with negativity, you will feel more negative and give out negative energy.
Surround yourself with positive people and champion each other, celebrate each others success and help each other through the tough times.
Turn up the volume
Music can have a huge effect on our mood! Make a playlist that makes you feel happy and upbeat and hit play every time you need a boost or you’re doing jobs around the house.
Eat well
A bad diet can leave us feeling fatigued and blue. Give your body the best chance to be happy, and feed it goodness in the form of fruit vegetables and superfoods!
Do something nice for someone else
Doing nice things for people makes us feel good. Whether it’s giving up your seat on the train, letting someone in the queue in front of you, or doing a favour for a friend. No one loses out when it comes to being nice to each other.
Set yourself the goal of doing one nice thing for someone else every day, and see how good you feel after!
Set small achievable goals
Whether you want to lose 3 stone, run a marathon or learn to play the piano, they are all great goals, but they are all really big goals.
Think about how you can chunk your goals into manageable bite size targets. Everytime you reach a goal, you’ll feel great and be able to reward yourself!
Acceptance
Sometimes we might just feel a bit meh, and do you know what… that’s ok. Think about why you feel the way you do and accept it. Grab your favourite snacks and movie, or run yourself a nice bath and relax. Tomorrow is another day!