Power Up Your Attitude!
Seems we all could use some positive news these days with all of the changes going on that have turned many of our lives upside-down during these challenging times. Now, more than ever, many of us could use some tips that help reframe or reclaim our mental mindset that can help give us a more optimistic way of thinking about life and ourselves.
Making the best of things can be challenging when your attitude is weighing you down from all of the strife and struggles that many of us face these days.
Here are a few uplifting tips to power up your attitude that can help give you more peace of mind and feel and think more positively.
- Laugh. I know, it’s easier said than done! But, how about taking the time (which many of us have right now being indoors more) to watch a funny movie, find some videos of your favorite stand-up comedy, tell some jokes with friends….make sure to release mood-lifting endorphins with a good belly laugh every day. Yes, a big, fat belly laugh! Linda Richman, the author of I’d Rather Laugh, has people who attend her workshops on grief tell their saddest story while wearing Groucho Marx glasses (with the big nose and mustache attached). She says inevitably they end up on the floor laughing. She believes if you can laugh, there is hope! Of course, this is not to say we all have our specific challenges, some harder than others however, making time to engage in an enjoyable experience may not make the challenges go away, you sure can take a break and smile, chuckle, and even laugh!
- Squash some ants. Author and physician Daniel Amen, M.D., recommends becoming aware of Automatic Negative Thoughts (or ANTs). For example, if you tend to use words like always, never, everyone; if you see only the bad in a situation; if you predict the worst possible outcome; if you believe what you feel; if you assume you know what others are thinking; or if you dwell on should have, could have scenarios, you could work on squashing these ANTs and replacing them with more accurate statements. For example, instead of saying to yourself, “I’m never going to get out of debt,” you can say, “Lots of people get out of debt and so can I. I can get help with my finances.” Amen has even written a children’s book called Captain Snout and the Superpower Questions: Don’t Let the ANTs Steal Your Happiness.
- Think Like a Seal. No, don’t think about eating fish and swimming in the Arctic. Think like the Navy Seals, who found that four simple techniques greatly helped them increase confidence, reduce fear, and succeed. These four techniques are: take baby steps toward your goal (even if that means taking things an hour or a minute at a time…divide a task in small, manageable steps and focus on one at a time); mentally rehearse what you want to happen; use positive self-talk (think, The Little Engine That Could!); and control your fear or anxiety by taking deep, relaxing breaths, which slow your heart rate and send messages to your brain that all is well.
During these last months and even years, we have had our share of negative and frightening situations confront our country and the whole world. Keeping a positive spin on life is not wishful thinking. It sets in motion hope, which leads to action and can make a positive difference.
What’s the best that could happen? You’ve got this!
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