Positive Thinking Practices
Truly, positive thinking practices just might change your life. The way we experience the world largely depends on our thoughts and feelings – whatever you focus on, whether it’s positive or negative, that energy will be attracted towards you.
What if creating your ideal life was as simple as changing your mindset? Developing a few easy habits can ensure that you live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled life, according to proponents of positive thinking and the law of attraction. Adopting these positive thinking practices will assist you in making your wildest dreams a reality.
If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to get everything they want and attract abundance wherever they go, or if manifestation really works, it’s time for you to explore positive thinking and the law of attraction techniques.
Millions have already tapped into these powerful practices through best-selling books like The Secret. Also, mental health professionals have acknowledged the benefits of an attitude of optimism for physical, mental, and emotional health.
You don’t have to ignore problems or challenges in life – positive thinking merely requires that you handle them more optimistically. In fact,try incorporating some of these positive thinking practices and begin manifesting a shift in your life and expanding your potential.
Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
Practicing gratitude allows you to realize all of the great things that are already present in your life. Developing a gratitude practice will help you to feel more grounded in the present moment and experience more joy and contentment in your everyday life.
When we acknowledge all of our many blessings, we begin to experience more satisfaction which leads to a more positive worldview. In particular, practicing gratitude is an easy and convenient way to get started in changing your mindset.
There are a variety of prompts for practicing gratitude online, and popular apps like Calm even have guided meditations with ideas for things to be grateful for.
One simple way to begin is to start a gratitude journal. Take a few moments each day, perhaps over morning coffee, or just before you go to sleep, and write 3 things you’re grateful for. Of course, these things can be big or small.
You might acknowledge gratitude for a partner or family member, or perhaps you’re simply grateful for a nice sunny day. Maybe you want to include personal belongings, like a car that runs well or an outfit that makes you feel particularly confident.
Perhaps you’re grateful for a job that pays the bills or volunteer work that creates meaningful connections. Whatever it is that you’re thankful for – write it down!
Quiet negative self-talk (This is an important positive thinking practice!)
Without a doubt, the way we speak to ourselves matters. When you’re first starting with positive thinking practices, it can be hard to even notice all of the negative self-talk that happens daily.
For some of us, these thoughts are so ingrained in us that they feel integral to who we are. It is way too easy to live in a state of self-judgment, constantly beating ourselves up for any minor mistakes or imperfections. We tend to dwell in the past, repeating our mistakes over and over again and never forgiving ourselves and moving forward.
Negative internal dialogue is incredibly damaging to our confidence and can even accumulate into mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Luckily, you can begin to replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. At first, you will have to be incredibly mindful and pay a lot of attention when these thoughts come up, but over time, this replacement should happen naturally and soon it will be second nature.
When you catch yourself beating yourself up over something, or tearing yourself down, simply pause. Take a few deep breaths and acknowledge what you are doing without judgment. Simply observe the thought. Then, try replacing the negative story you are telling yourself with a positive one.
Maybe you are thinking, “I am so out of shape. I will never be able to complete a marathon.” Try replacing that thought with something like, “Every time I practice, I get stronger.”
You’ll be amazed by how much better this simple practice will make you feel over time.
Practice meditation daily
You may have already heard of the countless benefits of meditation. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is a perfect time. Meditation is recommended by doctors, mental health therapists, yogis, and spiritual guides all over the world and can profoundly help with positive thinking.
Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It can also increase immune responses in the body, improve sleep, and even reduce the risk of heart problems.
Meditation is all about letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. The goal is to quiet the mind so that you can be grounded in the present moment.
As a matter of fact, meditation is completely free. The only thing you need is a little bit of time each day to tune in and be present with yourself. If you’re just starting, try setting aside 5-15 minutes each day. You can choose to practice in the morning just after you wake up, or in the evening before bed. Any time that feels good to you is a great time for meditation!
If you’re looking for guidance on how to begin meditating you can check out YouTube, meditation apps, or online resources. Likewise, local yoga studios will often have meditation classes or workshops for beginners as well.
More on Meditation- Positive Thinking Practices
One simple technique for meditation is to find a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. You might choose to play some relaxing music. Next, find a place of physical stillness either sitting in a comfortable chair or lying down facing up. If it feels good, gently close your eyes.
Begin by observing your breath for a few moments. Let it flow naturally. Then, begin to deepen your breath. Try to inhale while you count to 5, hold your breath for a count of 3, and then exhale slowly as you count to 5. If your mind begins to wander, that’s okay! Just bring your attention back to your breath. Repeat these breaths for 5-15 minutes.
When you’ve finished, begin to bring yourself back to the present by wiggling your fingers and toes. Then begin to move your arms and legs. It may feel good to take a nice big stretch with your arms over your head before opening your eyes.
Practice daily affirmations
The more you use daily affirmations, the easier it will become to replace negative thought patterns with a more beneficial and optimistic mindset. The power of affirmations is available to you anytime, anywhere!
Using positive affirmations can help brighten your overall outlook on life when you use them with regularity. You can say them out loud, in your mind, or write them down in a journal. The key is repetition! Say them again and again to increase happiness and success.
Affirmations are statements that are both positive, in the present tense, and include first-person pronouns. You can create a positive affirmation that is particularly meaningful for yourself or use simple ones that have been used for hundreds of years in different traditions around the world.
A few examples of positive affirmations include:
- I am powerful
- I am confident
- I am strong
- I am motivated
- I am getting better and better every day
- I love myself
- I am grateful
- I am calm
- I have everything I need
- I experience joy
If you decide to create your own positive affirmations follow this simple formula.
- Write your affirmations in the present tense, even if they are things you want in the future.
- Use “I” statements.
- Use a positive voice or tone.
- Choose things that are believable to you.
- Make sure that they reflect what you really want and what your goals are.
- Make sure that you really feel them in your heart.
- Repeat them.
- Surround yourself with positivity
Final Thoughts on Positive Thinking Practices
When developing positive thinking practices, it is important to make sure that your environment supports an optimistic mindset. The people we surround ourselves with and the content we consume are huge factors when it comes to how we feel.
If you find yourself spiraling into negative thoughts when you watch the news, perhaps try skipping it a few times a week and see if you begin to feel better. Staying informed is important, but oftentimes being constantly bombarded with negative media can leave us feeling down and depleted.
If skipping the news doesn’t feel aligned, perhaps try seeking out a positive news story for every negative one you watch or read. This will help you to develop a more balanced view of what is really happening in the world.
Read books and watch movies or TV shows that you find inspiring and uplifting. Take a break from stressful and negative content and fill yourself up with ideas that make you feel good. Perhaps choose something that makes you laugh or brightens your day.
Surround yourself with positive people. If you ever feel that you’re spiraling into a negative thought pattern, you can call on friends and family who uplift you and make you feel good about yourself.
Try to spend less time with people who feed into negativity or are always complaining. Everyone has bad days and moods but begin to notice how the people that you surround yourself with make you feel. For that reason, choose friendships and relationships with people who choose to look on the bright side.