Five Of the Best Ways to Foster Optimism

Are negativity, anger, or resentment taking up rent-free space in your mind? Are you finding it difficult to change your thought patterns, finding yourself stuck in repeated thoughts that result in attitudes you’re tired of? These are very natural consequences to your desire to stay relevant in the world today. You do your best to create informed opinions. You, of course, want to make the best decisions for the future of you and your family. It’s difficult to avoid the realities of the not so pleasant activities in the world. It’s easy to find yourself overloaded with pessimism, angst, and your anxiety starts to take over and create that heaviness in your chest and stomach. It’s difficult to pull yourself out of those unhappy thoughts.

What are some of the best ways to foster positivity in your mind and body to help pull yourself up into an optimistic mindset?

 1)     Read and Listen to Positive News: The news has always made its best sales by sharing negative and emotion evoking news that illicit anger and negative reactions. Try just reading the headlines, giving yourself five minutes a day, and stop. After you’ve given yourself a break, you can try some other techniques around the news to monitor how much you engage. Try adding positive and uplifting reading and listening to your days. There is plenty of it. There are great podcasts filled with great advice. There are vast numbers of articles that speak to the wonderful contributions people make to our world on a daily basis. Make a point of looking for these materials.

2)     Learn from Challenges: Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Reflect on the lessons you’ve gained from difficult situations, which can foster resilience and a positive mindset. Most of us have grown up with seeing setbacks as failures. They’re often associated with embarrassment and shame. If you find yourself going down the path of embarrassment and shame often, it may be a good time to talk with a counselor and talk through some of your core beliefs.

3)     Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially in times of failure or disappointment. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes and encounters obstacles. Being compassionate toward yourself can enhance your overall optimism. There are many books and articles that talk about the strategies of practicing self-compassion. My favorite book is The Self-Compassion Workbook by Joy Johnson. (Not a remunerated link)

4)     Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Engaging in physical activity not only improves your physical health but also positively impacts your mental well-being and optimism. I realize that exercise is not the favorite practice for many of us. Giving yourself that gift is a great training ground for your brain to get used to the reward of those endorphins. Give yourself about six weeks to allow your brain and body to learn to love the activity.

And, in my opinion, the most important and useful way to promote optimism:

5)     Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude Daily: Incorporate mindfulness exercises and gratitude practices into your daily routine. Mindfulness meditation can help you stay present, reducing anxiety about the future. Regularly expressing gratitude for the positive aspects of your life can enhance your overall sense of optimism. The simple act of saying to yourself “I am blessed” as many times as you can in a minute can help break the cycle of dread and help you begin to turn your thoughts toward something positive in your life.

My favorite source for positive reminders on a daily basis is www.take2mins.org. For a small monthly subscription, you have access to a daily text, a great chatbot with over 50 commands to help you leverage your way out of a negative mindset, a 10-minute daily mediation and numerous additional services that help you become a more positive and self-aware individual. I hope you’ll try it!

Remember, improving optimism is a continuous process that involves cultivating positive habits and perspectives over time.