Positivity is a choice!

That’s right, I said it.

It is not all about a smile and a laugh and it is not about putting on a mask for others. Having a positive mindset takes a lot of work and sometimes we must slay a lot of demons to find the light of a positive mindset. Dark thoughts come to us all, I’ve had my fair share. It’s easy to fall deep down a dark hole of thought and emotion. Positivity is your flashlight that you can shine down that dark alley of your mind and help you find your way out.Stay in your own lane

Because the hard work and time successful people put in are usually behind the scenes, all we see are the results of their labor. Their blood, sweat, tears, and self-discipline are hidden from our view. Think about (and appreciate) the work it took for that person to get the skill or physique you desire. Then ask yourself: What can I do to work towards getting the results I want?

“Choosing to be positive is an act of war on darkness.”

Having a positive attitude means seeing the good in a situation instead of the bad. It’s about reframing an experience so that you gain the perspective you may not otherwise have seen. For example, you’re in a long line at the grocery store. The person in front of you has a zillion coupons and is paying with a check. You were supposed to be at the barbeque 10 minutes ago. Reframe this: be thankful you have the resources to buy food, the friends to hang out with at the party, and the health to even be standing in the first place. (And maybe, start grooving to the classic tunes pumping over the store speakers.)

Being positive means seeing your cup as half full, not half empty. It doesn’t mean you turn a blind eye to reality. You don’t have to see the world through rose-colored glasses. It’s about seeing the reality of a situation for what it is and choosing to find the positive in it.

Positivity and Your Health

Studies suggest that there is a strong connection between positive thinking and your health. One of the theories as to why positivity is good for our health is that it helps deal with stress. According to MayoClinic, some of the benefits include:

Increased life span
Lower rates of depression
Greater resistance to illnesses
Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
Reduced risk of death from cancer and respiratory conditions
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

Furthermore, according to hopkinsmedicine.org, there are studies that have found that positivity “improves outcomes and life satisfaction across a spectrum of conditions—including traumatic brain injury, stroke and brain tumors.”

Reframe Your Thinking

It’s time to retrain your brain so that when negative thoughts creep in, you can refocus and get yourself out of that negative state. Repeating a mantra is one effective way to flip the switch on negative thoughts. An example of a positive mantra could be:

I am in charge of my life.

I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.

My presence is my power.

I got this.

Stopping your negative self-talk in its tracks is another way to train your mind to stay on the positive side. Instead of saying, “I can’t do anything right!” say “What can I learn from this?” After all, you wouldn’t talk to your friend that way, so don’t talk to yourself that way either.

Spending time with others that have a positive attitude is important as well. You don’t want to spend your time around people that will bring you down into their dark alley. I grew up in a household that was clouded by negative energy. When you hear negative words on a daily basis, especially as a child, it rewires your brain. You start talking to yourself just as bad as what you hear in your environment. It was a struggle to climb out of that negative muck and be the positive person I knew I always was.

Gratitude Changes Your Attitude

Another tool to help set a positive mindset is to practice gratitude. Keep a journal and write in it daily. Think about all of the things in life you are grateful for. When you are feeling down, re-read your journal entries. Keeping things in perspective is a wonderful way to stay on the positive side of life.