What are the actions towards positivity that we can take? In order to feel, live, and be the best version of yourself, you must first create positive action in your life.
Actions Towards Positivity
Positive action is not only the key to being successful, but it is also what creates a fulfilling life. Below are six positive thinking examples:
Stop Negative Thoughts:
The journey to positive actions starts from inside ourselves. According to the Mayo Clinic, “positive thinking often starts with self-talk.” They describe self-talk as, “the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head”.
As negative thoughts pop into your head, begin to internally shift them into positive or even neutral thought patterns. For example, in the morning when you’re getting ready for work do you catch yourself thinking, “I don’t like the way this suit makes me look” or “My hair is always so frizzy”.
As soon as these thoughts begin forming, find something you do like about your appearance. “I did purchase those new maroon dress shoes last week and I think they would accent this suit nicely” or “Frizzy hair can be fun and if I put my hair up today, I can wear the scarf my grandmother left me and be reminded of her all day”.
What are some positive actions?:
Find things to change. It could be a negative work environment, a toxic friendship or relationship, or unproductive down time. A negative relationship or environment can be both mentally and physically draining.
This leads to increased anxiety, unnecessary stress, and a feeling of overall dread. Why would you want to subject yourself to any amount of time in an atmosphere where you are not able to feel comfortable or be at ease?
First determine which person, place, or thing routinely conjures a sense of overall uneasiness and then begin formulating a plan of action to remove it from your life.
Scientific Studies on Positive Thinking:
Making conscious decisions about your overall health and lifestyle will make you feel better inside and out. This does not mean you need to train to become the next Olympic runner or stop eating meat. The physical and mental effects of eating less sugar and exercising throughout the week can be life changing.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not only does physical activity strengthen bones, decrease risk for health scares, and allows for longer life span, it also helps keep you mentally stronger.
The CDC confirms that your thinking, learning, and judgment skills continue to sharpen with regular physical activity. Physical activity also allows for more sleep and less anxiety which in turn helps you feel your best and improves positive thinking.
Find an Activity You Love:
This could be a monthly art class, sitting at the park bird watching, joining a book club or any local team. Finding an activity that brings you joy will make you smile, feel good, and forget about the daily load of your life.
This will give you a small sense of purpose and something to look forward to throughout your days. You will be able to meet other people who have a similar interest and potentially make connections that will trickle into other areas of your life.
Practice Gratitude:
According to Harvard Medical School, gratitude is consistently associated with greater happiness. “The Science of Gratitude” by The Greater Good Science Center, outlines several benefits from practicing gratitude.
Some of these benefits include, increased resiliency, less likely to experience a burn out in the workplace, increased positive mood, and more satisfaction with life. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning and end of each day saying or writing down specific things you are grateful for. You could also practice yoga or meditation where gratitude plays a major role.
Find Positive People:
“Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people– people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories.”
This quote is from motivational speaker, Jack Canfield. He is best known for his work as a co-author of, “The Chicken Soup for Your Souls Series”. His series has over 250 titles and is written in over 40 languages.
Success at any level can be tough to achieve without a circle of uplifting and positive support around you. Engage with people who have uplifting energy at work, at school, in stores, and online.
Positive action starts with positive thinking and progresses to positive change in the physical world. Taking positive action in life isn’t always easy. Start small and begin to make it a daily habit. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.