We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what if we told you that the same could be said about smiling?
While the act of smiling itself may not be enough to guarantee a long and healthy life, it may be able to set you on the right track! Why? Because smiling is one of the best indicators of a positive outlook, which can have a lasting impact on both your health and quality of life.
The Connection Between Health and Positivity
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, positivity is defined as ‘the practice of being or the tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.’ People who incorporate the practice of positivity into their life are better able to see the silver lining, look at the bright side, and see the glass as half full. Not only does a positive outlook help keep you feeling optimistic throughout the day, but it also provides a number of benefits for your physical and mental health.
Positivity and Your Physical Health
Research shows that people with a positive outlook on life tend to have better long-term health. For many years, it’s been believed that the health boost that positivity provides is due to the fact that optimistic people are more likely to have healthier habits. However, researchers are now starting to explore the possibility that optimism also impacts our biological systems as well.
Positivity and Your Mental Health
When it comes to positive thinking and mental health, a multitude of studies continue to show that they are closely connected in a number of ways. A more positive outlook on life has been found to contribute to a greater sense of purpose in life, and increase in happiness, and an enhanced ability to cope with stress, both physically and mentally.
Tips for Improving Your Positivity
So how can you shift your attention away from the negative and start living a more positive life? The key is to practice. Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you out.
1. Always Look For The Silver Lining
Life is full of obstacles and challenging situations, but facing them doesn’t have to send you down the path of negativity. Instead, try to look for something positive, a glimmer of hope, or the silver lining in the situation. If your business is struggling, it’s a chance to re-evaluate and revamp or pursue other passions. If your plans get canceled at the last minute, think about how much time you now have free to catch up on your to-do list or indulge in a little self-care. No matter how difficult a situation is, there is almost always a bright side, you just have to find it.
2. Celebrate Your Small Wins
When you’re dreaming big or working toward large goals, it can be easy to overlook the small victories you achieve along the way. However, even the smallest wins are worth celebrating, and being able to acknowledge them when they happen will go a long way in helping you maintain a positive outlook on life. By celebrating when you accomplish smaller goals like completing your first workout of the week, eating one extra serving of veggies in a day, or completing a task on your to-do list at work, your brain will release chemicals that help you feel proud and happy. When done over time, this positive reinforcement will help your mind naturally shift toward acknowledging the good things in your life, even when they are small.
3. Connect with Others
One way to maintain a positive attitude is to connect with other people in your community. Whether they are close friends, a religious community, a book club, or something else entirely, making time to build relationships and spend time with people you care about can do wonders for your mindset. To enhance the effects, make sure the people you are spending time around are also positive in nature. After all, both positivity and negativity are contagious.
4. Use a Mantra
Finding a positive mantra you can repeat throughout the day is a simple and effective way to help you recenter and refocus your thoughts when you feel the negativity starting to creep in. This short, positive sentence will serve as both a way to ground you and lift your mood during difficult moments. Spend some time thinking about how you want your mantras to make you feel when you say them, then choose one or two and say them out loud to see if they conjure the emotions you are aiming for. Once you’ve found one or two, start incorporating them into your daily routine to help keep your mind focused on the positive throughout the day.
5. Keep a Journal
Did you know that most mental health professionals encourage their patients to keep a journal? It can be for documenting positive or negative points about their life journey. To boost positive thinking, it’s best to keep a journal that is dedicated solely to the positive things in your life.. In it, you can write about a variety of topics like the things you are grateful for, reasons you are proud of yourself, or even a set of affirmations that you write and say every day. Whatever you feel will help to boost your positive attitude, write it down.
6. Relax and Have Fun
Another way you can be positive is to do things that make you happy or help you feel relaxed. You can start a fun hobby like dancing, gardening, or writing or you can incorporate relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga into your routine. These types of activities will encourage your brain to reward you with “feel-good” hormones and help you feel lighter and more positive about life.
Live the #NewEarthLife
Staying positive comes with a variety of benefits for your health, which is why we consider it part of living the #NewEarthLife. Join us in taking small steps each day to help maintain a positive mindset so you can enjoy all the benefits that come with it.