I keep having this image stuck in my mind from Dr. Caroline Leaf's (author of "Switch On Your Brain") analogy of what your brain looks like if you are positive and what it looks like if you are negative with negative thinking patterns.
Positive is like a strong healthy green tree with many branches and new growth.
Negative - the tree is toxic, doesn't have much life in it or leaves on it's branches.
The branches of the tree symbolize the neuro pathways that are created with positive pattern thinking while a negative pattern shows a lack of those neuro pathways being developed.
I like the idea of having my brain full of neuro pathways with the idea that I am growing to my greatest potential. So I'll be keeping on the positive side, being mindful if negativity creeps up.
If staying positive sounds appealing to you here are some tips for doing just that -
Be aware when talking of the words you use and replace negative words with positive words. Like saying "I can do this" instead of "This is too hard"
When thinking, use empowering words; words that make you feel strong, happy, motivated and such.
Take time to celebrate your successes. If you have been working hard on something with celebrating your successes it can give you the motivation to repeat those success and also to strive onward.
Journal your thoughts. Document and analyze any losses. Find where you went wrong and plan to do better next time. Learn from your mistakes.
Go somewhere that brings you peace and happiness. For me it's my nature walks, but for others it may be a quiet place like an art gallery or museum, an area where you listen to music or a park where you can watch kids and pets play happily. Visit these places as often as possible if it is a place where you feel peace and happiness.
Some people practice positive affirmations. The more you practice this, the easier it will become.
Forgive yourself for missteps. It happens. What's important is not to dwell on them but keep moving forward.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Add inspiring visuals to your home and work space. I recently read a book by Marie Kondo on tidying up which inspired me to only keep the things around you that give me joy. What a difference it made on how I view my possessions!
Look at things from a different point of view. When you can see both sides, you can eliminate a lot of negatively.
Laugh aloud and often. There's always something to laugh about. Smiling and laughing releases 'feel good' endorphins in the body. There is even laughter yoga. Here is a good example of it -
Remember your "why". Why you are trying to be more positive, what motivates you.
Practice gratitude. When you're feeling thankful, you'll feel more positive.
Live in the moment. Stop worrying about yesterday or what's coming. Do what you can do today to get one step closer to reaching your goals.
Look at each challenge as an opportunity to grow. Strive for excellence.
Relax. Sometimes you just need to step back, breathe deep and relax to get the good vibes flowing again.
Get physically active to release more 'feel good' endorphins.
Believe in yourself. The only thing keeping you from succeeding is your own negative thoughts. Stop getting in your own way.
Stop making excuses and laying blame. Take responsibility for your actions and make the choice to do better next time.
Observe your thought patterns. Are there certain times of the day when you're feeling more negative? What can you do to make those times more positive?
Ask yourself, does this really matter? Will it matter next week or next month? If not, let it go. This called not sweating the small stuff.
Read something inspiring every day. Follow those who inspire you most and see what they do each day to make life the best it can be. Follow their lead.
Have a personal mantra. No matter what it is, these will be the words you live by each day that reminds you to be positive.
Meditate, do yoga, concentrate on your breathing and relaxing your mind.
I would like to end with a couple more tips that Dr. Caroline Leaf that she shared on her blog here
To improve self-regulation efforts and overall mental health:
Be intentional. You can control your mind, and you are not a victim of your biology. Self-regulation means a deliberate effort to control what we spend our time thinking about.
Adopt a multiple perspective advantage. This means we have the ability to step back and observe our own thoughts. This is not a quickly learned skill, but the more you do it, the more you will improve.
Images from graphicstock




