Simple ways to train your brain to be more positive and upbeat…
Whether you’re a glass half-full or glass half-empty kind of person, we could all do with a helping hand when it comes to thinking more positively about ourselves. Follow these simple tips to ‘trick’ your brain and enjoy a sunnier, more positive life!
THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Thinking positively really can make a world of difference to how happy we feel in our day-to-day lives. How many times have you thought negative thoughts about your appearance or your abilities? And how many times has that then affected your mood or led to you having a bad day? Probably more times than you can count.
Let’s break that habit. Learn to challenge your negative thoughts and question them. It can also help to repeat a positive mantra, either in your head or aloud. Look at yourself in the mirror and repeat a positive phrase such as “I am enough, I am strong, I am amazing!’ until you believe in it. Write down all the positive things about yourself, too, and think about these whenever a niggling doubt creeps into your mind.
LEARN TO SAY NO
Many of us are people-pleasers at heart and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to make other people happy, we also need to remember our own happiness. How many times have you said yes to something and immediately regretted it? It’s OK to say no to something that will make you feel stressed and unhappy. Self-care is the name of the game here.
CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES
Think about everything you’ve achieved in your life. Allow yourself to feel good about the things you’ve excelled at and congratulate yourself for your efforts, no matter how small. It’s not big-headed – it’s giving yourself some well-deserved credit, which can make you feel happier and more motivated to get on with your day.
GO TO YOUR HAPPY PLACE
Think back to a moment in time when you felt completely happy and relaxed. Try to conjure up a picture in your mind’s eye of that exact moment: where you were, the sounds, smells and sights, and the emotions you felt. Whenever you feel a negative thought creep in, push it out and replace it with your happy place.
ZONE OUT
If you find it difficult to refocus your thoughts, try zoning out. By zoning out, we mean tuning out those gripes and groans by busying your mind on something you really enjoy. You’ll be so busy focusing on scoring a goal, completing a level or finishing that brilliant book, your brain won’t have a second to dwell on anything that’s less than fun!
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it can be almost impossible to change the way we think. If you’re feeling especially low or are struggling with negative thoughts, please talk to someone today. You can reach out to a friend, a family member or talk to a trained counsellor at Childline on 0800 11 11.
