Introduction
Thinking positively is an important part of healthy living. A positive mindset can help you set and achieve goals, appreciate others, and build meaningful relationships. But what happens when your mindset isn't so positive? And how do you go about changing it? In this post i'll explore the science behind what makes us feel good or bad (and why), plus some simple strategies for shifting your attitude.
Remember that you are enough.
The world can be a scary place, and it's easy to feel like you don't measure up. But remember: you are enough. Always have been, always will be. When you're feeling alone and unloved, remember that there is someone out there who cares about you—and even if there isn't anyone in your life right now who feels that way about you, know that somewhere in the world exists an individual who would love to meet and befriend you. You deserve to be happy and content with yourself; make sure not to forget that!
Embrace your flaws.
Embracing your flaws is a practice that begins with an understanding of the human mind. You are not perfect, and you never will be. The sooner you accept this fact, the sooner you can begin to change how you react to things in your life that are less than ideal. Once you've accepted that nobody is perfect and nobody should have to be, it's time to start considering how we can go about learning to accept ourselves even when we're not perfect.
The first step involves taking a look at the way our brains function: We all have certain types of thoughts that run through our minds on repeat throughout the day (e.g., "I'm such an idiot for forgetting my phone"). These thoughts are known as automatic negative thoughts (ANTs). ANTs happen almost subconsciously; they're usually negative self-talk about something bad that has happened or could happen in the future (as opposed to positive self-talk). We may think these thoughts are just harmless chatter, but research suggests otherwise: ANTs actually cause stress hormone levels in our bodies to rise very quickly—and too much stress is linked not only with mental health issues like depression but also physical ones like heart disease (Stahl & Goldstein 2008).
Keep things in perspective.
It’s hard not to panic when things aren't going exactly as planned, but try to remind yourself that you're not the only one who feels this way. If you find yourself spiraling into self-doubt or panic attacks, take a deep breath and count to 10. Sometimes just taking a moment to ground yourself can help put things in perspective and provide clarity for what's really important at that moment.
Remember: everyone is human—even if someone else does something so awful it seems inhuman! Don't let anyone make you feel like less than a person because of their actions or words; no matter the situation, we are all deserving of respect and kindness.
Give yourself time to de-stress.
Take a few minutes each day to de-stress. If you're not sure how to do that, here are some ideas:
Meditate for 10 minutes before bedtime.
Go for an evening walk and enjoy the fresh air and sounds of nature around you.
Write down three things that went well today, then write down three things you could have done better—and what lessons can be learned from them?
It's important to prioritise your health, whether it be mental or physical.
As you go through life, it's important to prioritise your health, whether it be mental or physical. And although we often think of these types of care as separate entities, the truth is that they're not. Your body and mind are connected in countless ways; one cannot function without the other. What this means for you: if something is wrong with your physical body (say, a headache), chances are good that there's something wrong mentally as well (like stress). And if something is off mentally (say, depression), chances are good there is also an issue physically (such as low energy).
For this reason, it's important not only to take care of both your mental and physical health but also spiritual health—because once again these three aspects of yourself are inseparable! We can't talk about one without addressing the others; they operate together like gears in a machine or streaks on a windshield wiper blade. So how do we ensure our overall well-being? That's where self-care comes into play (book that holiday for you!)
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is that mindset matters. If you want to get better at something, you need a positive mindset and a willingness to learn. If you want someone else to be good at something, build them up with praise and encouragement instead of criticism or mockery. The world will be a better place when people take more time working on their own mindsets—and helping others do the same!
Stay blessed x
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