A Positive Mindset can Make any Day a Good Day
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? Do you get into a funk and start feeling miserable? Do you look for someone or something to blame? Or do you direct the blame inward at yourself?
It is easy to feel bad when bad things happen to us. But, if you have a positive mindset, you can find the good even in a bad day. Or, you can stay positive through any situation that comes your way, and make it a good day in spite of the problems.
Either way, a positive mindset makes a huge difference. Today, my daughter got sent home from daycare because of a COVID exposure. It turns out that she actually has COVID. She has been coughing for a few days and we thought it was just a cold, but the test came back positive.
Even though this isn't the result that we wanted or were hoping for, we have still managed to have a good day in spite of it.
She picked out some calming music to listen to on YouTube and we have had that playing in the background all day, which really helps us both to stay positive. We both love music, and it can really change your mood!
Then she made herself a little area to snuggle into with her beanbag chair, and has been curled up watching videos quietly on her phone and snuggling with her cats.
So, even though she isn't feeling well, she is staying calm about things.
As a mom, it is hard to see your child sick. But even though we had some challenges today, we both have kept an upbeat and positive mindset. This has allowed me to get through the day with a sense of ease and flow.
I have adapted to the challenges coming my way with my little girl, and have rolled with the way the day unfolded. Keeping a positive mindset is a great way to do this.
This morning before my daughter got up, I did yoga and spent some mindful moments outside. This set me up for success today, since I had time to get into a positive mindset before I started the day.
Having a positive mindset, and being able to maintain it, means that you will be able to feel better about any situation that comes your way. If you can maintain a positive mindset no matter what happens, it will greatly enrich your life by keeping you from getting upset over whatever may happen.
Benefits of a positive mindset
There are many benefits to having a positive mindset. It can make you more calm and able to cope with difficult situations, it can reduce your stress level, it can make you happier.
According to Better Up, here are 10 additional benefits of positive thinking:
Better stress management and coping skills during stressful moments
Lower risk of depression
More resistant to the common cold and a stronger immune system
Decreased risk of heart attacks and heart disease
Lower blood pressure
Better problem-solving
Greater ability to adapt to change
More creative thinking
Consistent attitude with fewer mood swings
Stronger leadership skills
It is great to know that there are even health benefits to having a positive mindset! You will not only feel better because you are in a positive mindset, you will be healthier too. This is because by coping better with stress, your body won't produce so many unhealthy stress hormones.
How to think more positively
As you learn to think more positively on a daily basis, you can start to reap all of the benefits of a more positive mindset. And remember, it takes practice! You won't be able to stay positive all the time right away. You will need to work to retrain your mind, which takes time.
First, you will need to start paying attention to your thoughts. In order to change your thoughts, you need to become aware of them. The more you become aware of your thoughts, you will start to notice negative thoughts more easily.
Each time you think a negative thought or encounter a limiting belief, you can work to overcome this with affirmations and positive self-talk.
For example, if you are thinking "I'm so fat" you could say the affirmation "I love my body and care for my health." You could still work on your weight if it bothers you, but you don't need to bash your body image.
Affirmations are a powerful tool to retrain your mind and think more positively.
When you say affirmations every day, it can help you to feed your mind with positive thoughts. You can follow my affirmations daily here on the blog, or make your own, as in the example above.
Some other ways to get into a positive mindset include:
Self-care
Saying affirmations
Yoga
Meditation
Mindfulness
Journaling
Practicing gratitude
Exercising
Taking a walk outside
Having a relaxing cup of tea or coffee
Calling a friend
Going to therapy or coaching
Listening to music
Practicing a hobby
Spending time with a pet
Once you get into a positive mindset, you can work on consistently thinking more positively and using practices to help you stay thinking positively. This way, you will be better able to cope with life's challenges, and to stay happy and healthy in the face of adversity.