“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan.

Have you ever had someone tell you that you were too negative? That you should be more positive? As if it was that easy… right?!

Most of us feel as if life is spinning out of control. And that’s the reality. Sometimes, life situations can be disappointing that our judgement gets clouded. When this happens, all we can see is “what’s not working”.

However, positive thinking can have a positive impact on our lives. What does even being positive mean? It relates to the art of being optimistic or looking at the bright side even when you are facing difficulties. Being positive doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges in your life; it just implies that the individual chooses to focus on positive things and learns from negative experiences.

In this post, I will provide some practical tips on transforming your mindset and becoming more positive for a joyful life.

If you want to become more positive, follow these simple tips.

• Practice gratitude daily
• Meditate
• Be physically active
• Socialize with loved ones
• Get enough Sleep

1. Practice Gratitude Daily 

To become more positive so you can be happier, cultivate gratitude. This practice is simple to incorporate into your daily routine, requiring you to write down things you are grateful for.

Why is it important? It forces you to take a moment to reflect on the good things in your lives, no matter how small they may seem.

How to practice gratitude? Here are some easy-to-follow tips.

Tip 1: Think about what you are thankful for and have achieved so far. You can start by writing statements like “I’m grateful because I’m healthy, or because I own my car, or I learnt resilience, or I’m reducing my debt”.

Tip 2: Write down 3 things you are grateful for every day as if you were on a mission.

Anything you are grateful for can go on the list. Take a moment to scan through everything you are proud of, no matter what. For example, I’m always grateful when I get to experience a beautiful day in the sun.

Whatever it may be, acknowledging these moments of joy and appreciation can help shift your perspective towards the positive and lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, please take a moment each day to write down a few things you are grateful for and notice how it affects your mood and outlook.

2. Meditate 

Another tool you can use on your journey to positivity is regular meditation. It allows you to take a moment and become aware of the thoughts and feelings that are constantly running through your head.

Tip 1: Find a quiet space to sit or on your back, closing your eyes. Choose a peaceful space where you won’t be disturbed.

Tip 2: Focus on your deep breath and concentrate on the sensation of your breath going in and out to calm your mind and body.

Tip 3: Start small. Begin with just a few minutes of daily meditation sessions and increase the duration as you become comfortable.

Tip 4: Establish a regular schedule in your routine in the morning if possible, and be consistent.

The idea here is to practice meditation to observe your thoughts and feelings and develop greater self-awareness to help you lead a happier and more fulfilled life.

3. Be Physically Active 

To become more positive, engage in regular physical activity to feel happy and energized. The more you exercise, the less stressed and anxious you will feel.

Exercise is known to help alleviate stress and anxiety, improving your overall mood and mental health.

See tips to become physically active below.

Tip 1: Find a physical activity you enjoy and incorporate it into your routine. It could be going for a run, walking, going to the gym, or joining a fitness class. Choose any activity that you will wish to stick to. You can also mix and match. It’s all up to you!

Tip 2: Find some time to connect with nature. It could be walking or running at the park or hiking in the woods. Whatever works for you. Spending time in the outdoors will help you feel calm and restored.

The idea here is to be physically active, ensuring you include activity outdoors. It will give you a sense of tranquillity, which is essential for your overall wellbeing.

4. Socialize With Loved Ones 

As humans, we are wired to crave connection with others. That’s why spending time with our loved ones is a great way to change our mindset and become more positive.

It’s crucial to surround yourself with people you love. They could be friends or family members. The idea here is to connect with people who are going to share laughter with you.

Here are some simple tips on how you can connect.

Tip 1: Think about the cheerleaders or uplifters in your life. It could be a cousin who always has funny stories to share or your group of friends from College that you haven’t met for quite some time.

Tip 2: Once you’ve identified your “buddies”, take the initiative to organize a social activity. It could be a simple thing like mini-golf, bowling, a dinner party, a game night or a simple phone or video call.

The idea here is to spend quality time with people you care about. Creating memories will help you feel joyful and in a good mood. Have fun!

5. Get Enough Sleep

As we all know, lack of sleep can make you feel dizzy, unfocused, and downright grumpy. It sets the tone for your mood for the entire day. That’s why getting enough sleep at night is crucial in building your positive mindset.

How to ensure you have enough sleep? Here are some simple tips.

Tip 1: Establish a consistent sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This can help regulate your body’s internal clock and optimize the quality of your sleep.

Tip 2: Create a restful environment: Your bedroom should be a quiet, dark, and cool place. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan, or a white noise machine to create an environment conducive to sleep.

Tip 3: Limit exposure to screens before bedtime: The light emitted by phones, tablets, computers, and TVs can interfere with your sleep. Try to turn these devices off at least an hour before bed.

Tip 4: Avoid heavy meals and caffeine late in the day: These can disrupt your sleep. Try to finish eating at least a few hours before your regular bedtime.

The idea here is to create habits to help you stick to your sleep schedule.

In Essence

Becoming more optimistic in life is possible. It’s instrumental in our pursuit of happiness and our wellbeing.

Taking the step and making the choice to change your mindset is really the first step in the right direction. Don’t think about taking these steps; take action one step at a time. It takes time to create new habits that will foster a healthier mindset. However, this effort is worth it if you want to increase your contentment and happiness levels.

I hope these tips help you successfully change your mindset!