Introduction

6 Ways to embracing positive thinking

Positive thinking is a phenomenon that is embedded in positive psychology. Positive thinking involves ways of problem-solving, a positive perception of the world and one’s circumstances, creativity, and the belief that everything will work well in the end. On the other hand, negative thinking is concerned with the negative perception of the self, others, or the world, which carries negative connotations and expectations. Negative thinking also has roots in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness. However, these are not the focus of this article. This article aims to provide six tips for embracing positive thinking.

#1 Look for the positive.

In a negative situation, it is always easy to see the challenges. The plan here is not to deny the negative aspect of the issue. However, flipping the challenging situation around can help you to view it in a positive light. It can help you to see the good. Tell yourself that you are in control of your thoughts in every situation.

#2: Exercise Regularly.

Getting your body moving is great for changing your mood and your thoughts. You don’t have to run a marathon or swim across the English Channel to make that kind of change...you can just step up, take a walk, do some jumping jacks, or dance. That’s right...dance. Try turning on your favourite music and moving and grooving for a few minutes; see if you’re feeling negative afterwards.

#3: Practice Gratitude.

Building a positive list could be the first step toward solving negative thinking. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for. Having trouble coming up with a list? How about your breath, your pulse, your sight, and all the other basic amenities we take for granted? Once you start writing your list out, you will find that it snowballs and fills your mind with positivity. 

#4: Be intentional.

You could pray, journal, or craft an art project around your positive thoughts, which can boost your feelings and emotions. Be consistent with whatever activities work for you. Remember, a mind that is allowed to accommodate any thought will soon become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Develop a habit of bringing your mind and thoughts back to the positive zone.

#5: Feed your mind with positive things. To overcome darkness in a room, you must switch on the light. Likewise, overcoming negative thinking demands that you overcome it by bringing in positive thoughts. Fill your mind and thoughts with things that are positive, lovely, praiseworthy and of good report. Meditate on these good things all day long.

#6: Speak the positive language.

Take stock of the vocabulary and phrases you regularly use. What is your language, especially in a difficult situation? Eliminate negative phrases and words from your lexicon, and watch your thoughts change as well. You can include positive language, such as I'm very close to achieving my goal, I will figure out how to solve this problem…You should also take note of your body language and posture. Avoid slouching, and above all, smile!

Final Thoughts

Embracing positive thinking is important as it can increase an individual’s ability to cope with stressful situations, help with overcoming hard times, increase feelings of joy, and boost one’s immune system. When the going gets tough, remember, that the positive zone is the place to be.

Dr Toyin Adewunmi

Organisational Health and Wellbeing Consultant, Certified Life Coach & Trainer

Emerald Organisational Health and Wellbeing Solutions

London and Ashford

E: Toyin.adewunmi@emerald-oh.co.uk

W: www.emerald-oh.co.uk

Introduction

When it comes to decluttering your home, there is a simple solution: put everything on eBay. This advice is oversimplified, but it seems possible. However, when it comes to decluttering your mind, it’s not really possible to unload your thoughts onto eager internet buyers...or is it? Here are a few ways to declutter your mind.

#1: Declutter your space.

We are what we eat...and what we see. While people may argue about whether or not violent movies can raise a generation of messed-up, angry kids, let’s just err on the side of caution and declutter the space around us. With fewer things in our field of vision, we have less garbage to stew over and worry about...freeing up the space in our minds.

#2: Declutter your schedule.

Another thing that can take up space in our minds is the constant rush from one activity to another. Take a look at your schedule and start eliminating things that aren’t necessary. All they are doing is causing you to feel overwhelmed and adding stress to your day, giving you more food to throw into the ever-spiralling stew of psychological stress.

#3: Unplug from the party.

Would you be able to sleep and rest easily if you were attending a party of several thousand people, such as at Times Square, on New Year’s Eve? That’s pretty much what’s happening with your smartphone, trapped in as you (probably) are to several social media networks. The pings, dings, and rings from various contacts as well as the thrill of finding a new message, are all adding small but unhealthy stressors to your day.

#4: Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is all about engaging with the present in a fully, alive way. There are many ways to practice mindfulness. This includes but is not limited to meditation, paying more attention to your environment, your body or journaling. Mindfulness will help you learn how to push irrelevant concerns out of your conscious thought process, leading to increased concentration and a decluttered mind.

#5: Let go.

Sometimes, it’s best to let go of old memories. From broken relationships to diabolical bosses, we tend to have a whole lot of backstories spinning in the back of our minds. You cannot undo the past but you can change the future. Just let it all go, and like a decluttered computer that suddenly operates faster, you’ll find your mind in a much more free and easy state.

Conclusion

Eliminating unnecessary thoughts, fears and concerns help reduce mental clutter and stress, boosts self-esteem and free up mental space. Monitor your thoughts regularly and try to replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.

Dr Toyin Adewunmi

Organisational Health and Wellbeing Consultant and Life Coach

Emerald Organisational Health & Wellbeing Solutions

London

E: Toyin.adewunmi@emerald-oh.Co.uk

W: www.emerald-oh. Co.uk