Simple Habits to Grow a Positive Attitude

It is important to keep a positive attitude even when those around you may be negative. Having a positive attitude will help you with things such as being productive, feeling good about yourself, and keeping anxiety and depression in check. An article called 10 Simple Habits to Grow a Positive Attitude allows us to see many ways in which we can adopt a more positive mindset.

Keep a gratitude journal. It is important to write things down so that you don’t keep your emotions bottled up inside. We tend to focus on negativity. By writing down things you are grateful for, you can reorient your mindset to focus on the positive. Try writing down 5 things you are grateful for every day and see the effects it has on you. Studies have shown that gratitude practices increase happiness and decrease anxiety, depression, and negativity.

Reframe your challenges. You should adopt the mentality of, “no dead ends, only re-directions in life.” By reframing your challenges you will grow as an individual and strive towards a more positive attitude. It is important to not let uncontrollable occurrences from the outside turn our insides into mush. It is important to not worry about the things that we can not control, but rather keep this positive attitude and look on the bright side. You should view life’s challenges and obstacles as an adventure and not something that stands in your way. “Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Get good at being rejected. Although this may sound silly, it is also very important. By learning to be okay with getting rejected, you will learn that you don’t need the affirmation of others. Life is full of disappointments and rejections, and you can’t let it harden your heart. “When there are cracks in your heart, they let the sun in.”

Use positive words to describe your life. Words you use to describe yourself and your life has a big impact on your perception. Use positive words or even objective words to find a happier mindset in life. Another positive habit to adopt is to change all your “haves” with “gets.” In other words, instead of having to go to work, you get to go to work. It just shifts you into a more grateful mindset. A study from US data suggests that a positive attitude even influences your earning wage.

Breathe. You know how your breath changes depending on your emotions? Your breath is different when you are anxious vs relaxed and happy. One wonderful surprise is the relationship works the other ways too. You can use breathing techniques to calm yourself down or reorient your emotions.

Notice the righteous in times of tragedy. “It’s hard to have hope and stay positive when hate and violence is all over the media.” However, in times of trauma and devastation, people rise above the circumstances, unite together, and reach out to others and show true love and sacrifice. Focus on these stories in times of fear and trouble.

Make someone else smile. It is good to sometimes change the focus off of yourself to think about other people’s happiness. Make someone smile and it just might brighten your day too.