How powerful is positive thinking? According to the Mayo Clinic, it can significantly help with stress management and improve your overall health. The power of positive thinking is about so much more than merely seeing the glass as half-full or faking it until you make it. It’s a complete switch in your self-talk and view of yourself and the world around you.
While thinking positively may come naturally to some people, for many it takes practice and a purposeful effort to maintain positivity. It can be especially challenging to do in a world where terrible things happen, and negativity seems to be at every turn.
Keep reading for three simple ways you can practice positive thinking and benefit from its power in your life:
#1: Replace Negative Self-Talk with Positive Self-Talk
Negative or limiting self-talk can make you feel stuck in your situation. It’s not enough to white-knuckle in it an attempt to stop your mind from thinking negatively. You must replace negative thoughts with positive ones. You can begin by replacing “I can’t” statements with “I can” statements.
When you continually tell yourself you can’t do something, you limit your potential and let fear rule your life. It will take time and practice, but as you repeatedly catch yourself thinking “I can’t” and replace it with “I can,” positivity will begin to take root in your mind.
#2: Begin the Day with Meditation and Positivity
Ever felt like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed? We’ve all been there, but it’s possible to change the trajectory of your day by purposefully beginning with positivity. Meditation is a powerful tool to change your mindset, live in the present moment, and find peace. If you are accustomed to hitting the ground running, this practice can be challenging to implement. But making an effort is well worth it.
Here’s a simple way to meditate:
- Find a comfortable place to sit without distraction.
- Commit to at least 15 minutes of practice.
- Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Breathe in and breathe out, focusing on the movement of your breath.
- You can sit in silence, or you can quietly repeat a positive affirmation about yourself or your life.
- If you notice your mind wandering (this is normal), simply bring your focus back to your breathing.
#3: Focus on the Good
You will encounter difficulties and hardships in life. Even during these times, it’s possible to find something good on which to focus. If you look for it, you can always find a silver lining about a situation or a person, even if it is not blatantly obvious. By choosing to see the good, you will be counteracting negativity in your mindset and your life.
Ready for a Positive Change in 2021? We can help!
If you are ready to tap into the power of positive thinking for your life, the team at Positive Living Psychotherapy is here to guide you. We’ve seen first-hand how transformative positive thinking can be for our clients. At our Alpharetta counseling office, we utilize positive psychology and traditional psychotherapy to help you experience more joy, love, and peace in your life.
Connect with us online or call 770.552.0333 for a free phone consultation with one of our compassionate licensed therapists.