you<\/em>. Or to put it in other words, it\u2019s how you treat and address yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou may not notice it, but negative self-talk can sneak up on you. You may dismiss it as the \u201cnorm,\u201d but it\u2019s not. An example of negative self-talk can be immediately scolding yourself after something, saying that \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have tried that,\u201d or \u201cWhat was I thinking?\u201d and similar talk-downs like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the moment, these thoughts may be instinctive. But do you know what? Eventually, these turn into internalized feelings. Your very conception of yourself changes for the worst. Let\u2019s turn that around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution is very simple. The next time you catch yourself talking down to yourself, stop, breathe, and replace those thoughts with positive ones. For example, instead of beating yourself up over failing at something, change your mindset into: \u201cWow, that didn\u2019t go as expected. Oh, well. Maybe next time. Now I know what not to try next time!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it can be difficult to maintain a positive mindset. Negative thoughts and self-talk are like weeds that are hard to pull out, but they can <\/em>be pulled out. Stop them from growing further by interrupting them at their root and changing your thoughts to a more positive outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother form of negative self-talk isn\u2019t as internalized. It can manifest in the form of self-deprecating humor. While it\u2019s completely healthy to have this sort of humor– something we\u2019ll actually talk about in a minute– when it\u2019s driven by self-hatred? It does more harm than good. This particular sense of humor is popular among the younger generations. Know when it\u2019s unhealthy, when your jokes stop being about laughing at yourself and not taking things too seriously, and turn into self-criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start Your Day On a Positive Note<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOne of the easiest tips you can follow is starting your day on a positive note. Almost always, the beginning of your morning sets the tone for how the rest of your day will go. Blame it on getting out of the wrong side of the bed, waking up groggy, or downright being not a morning person, but know that there is a way to actually enjoy those first few hours of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of starting out the day by dragging yourself out of bed, feeling negative and pessimistic, try this instead. A lot of people swear by following a morning routine. This familiar start to your day may be just the thing you need to have a positive day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding to that, start your day with positive affirmations. It may feel weird or silly at first, talking to yourself, but this has mind-blowing benefits. And what do you have to lose? Start your morning with amazing affirmations such as, \u201cToday is going to be a good day,\u201d or \u201cI have it within me to solve any challenge that comes up today,\u201d or \u201cI feel strong today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pick something that makes you feel empowered, like you\u2019ve got <\/em>this! Remember that it\u2019s within your power to make your day. It\u2019s up to you to invite what kind of experiences you want in your life. A firm believer in the power of positive affirmations is Oprah Winfrey. Every morning, she pulls a card from her 365 Gathered Truths box of inspirational sayings.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, find a way to start your day off on a happy note. If that means blasting Bon Jovi\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s My Life\u201d or Pharrell Williams\u2019 \u201cHappy,\u201d then go for it! Whether you have an hour to spare in the morning for this positive routine, or half an hour, or even just a few minutes, find something that helps you feel ready to conquer the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Show Your Appreciation and Gratitude<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou can start a positive chain reaction by simply being appreciative of others around you and by showing gratitude for the good things you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about it like this: by smiling at a co-worker and giving them a compliment, you\u2019re making their <\/em>day. If you want to receive more positive energy, then you have to give some out. And then watch the positive effects that happen to the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere have been studies on this. They show that people who sent out letters of gratitude ended up experiencing increases in their happiness scores. And while you don\u2019t necessarily have to send out letters to loved ones; a compliment, a nice thoughtful text, or an email thanking someone who has helped you, goes a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right now, you may be thinking that it\u2019s difficult to stay positive when you experience obstacles and negative challenges throughout the day. The key to staying appreciative and grateful is focusing on the good things, no matter how small. There is no escaping bad things happening. But you will rarely experience such a thing as a \u201cperfect day\u201d without <\/em>actively contributing to making it positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAgain, focus on turning the negatives into positives. If you\u2019re stuck in traffic, for example, instead of being frustrated that you\u2019re going to get home late, think about how you have guilt-free time to finish your favorite podcast and to relax. If your favorite restaurant is closed, think about how much you may enjoy trying out something new!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome More Humor Into Your Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFinding humor even in the most challenging situations has more benefits than you might think. Laughter has been scientifically proven to have a powerful and positive effect on your body. It\u2019s a powerful medicine for your mental health. Laughter alone can lower your stress levels, anxiety, and depression. Laughter can also dramatically improve your mood and increase your self-esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how can you welcome and invite more humor into your life? The key is being open to humor in every situation, even the tough ones. Laughing at yourself positively and not taking things too seriously has an instantaneous effect on your mood. Things will rapidly seem a lot less difficult. Find humor even in the most trying of challenges by reminding yourself that this will, at least, make for a good story later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So turn on your favorite sitcom, watch a funny movie, or watch YouTube videos that make you laugh. In the short term, laughter will do more than just lightening your worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may just start noticing positive physical changes. When you laugh, like that uncontrollable guffaw at a joke, you’re actually improving your intake of oxygen and stimulating your heart, muscles, and lungs. You\u2019re also increasing the feel-good endorphins that your brain releases. Your circulation and muscle relaxation are also greatly helped stimulated by regular laughter, which means the physical symptoms of stress are reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n