A positive mindset is considered to be when someone focuses on the positive side of things. They have an easier time believing that good things can happen. They also find it easier to be hopeful when challenging things happen in life. All of us will face hardships and challenges, but what can help us to have a positive mindset? We will talk about that today.
How Does a Negative Mindset Affect Me?
Let’s first look at the effects of negative thinking or having a negative mindset. If you have a tendency to think negative outcomes first, you could struggle with having a negative mindset. Often times, the words always or never are thought of often. if you find your instinct is to see or notice the negative in someone or something before you see the good, this could also be an indication that you may have a negative mindset. Defaulting to negative thoughts affects more than just your thoughts, however. Below are other symptoms or affects you could experience from having primarily negative thoughts.
- More negative feelings such as sadness or depression
- Increased physical illness or sicknesses
- Mental health issues such as lower self-esteem, depression or anxiety
- Tendency to prefer being alone leading to isolation
- Relationships can have more issues
It can feel hard to try and change a habit of negative thinking, but here is hope. While it does take effort with any change we decide to take on, change is necessary and needed for us to grow. It is ok that is hard, we can do hard things. Keep reading for suggestions to develop a positive mindset.
How Can I Develop a Positive Mindset?
Have you heard of the term “self-talk”? It is the words and thoughts we say to ourself about ourself. There is a common link between negative self-talk and having a negative mindset. The more we allow ourselves to think negative and talk negative, the more negative our mindset can become. So how do we change that? Are there steps we can take to have a more positive mindset? Below are a few suggestions that could help you, over time, start to develop a positive mindset.
- Identify and acknowledge that you have negative thoughts or expect negative outcomes
- Practice gratitude or thankfulness
- When you identify a negative thought, intentionally reframe the thought into something more positive
- Work on accepting that all of us are human, we have flaws and thus will make mistakes
- Decide to offer grace toward yourself and others when a mistake happens
- The above will help you learn to cope with feedback or criticism
- Journal your thoughts and progress, take note of your abilities to welcome change
- Celebrate and share your changes with someone you trust
Change is hard but so is not being willing to change. For us to have safe and healthy relationships and self-image, we need the ability to see and react to things objectively. We benefit from the ability to see the good in people and things. Having a positive mindset will not only affect you and your health, it can also help your relationships as well.
If negative or pessimistic thoughts are something you struggle with, we are here to help. Upstate Restorative Counseling has helped others take steps toward overcoming a negative mindset and we are here for you as well. Reach out today if need someone to talk to and steps toward a positive mindset.
