Positivity: It Goes a Long Way Towards a Healthier Lifestyle
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. ~ Willie Nelson
Well, it’s almost the end of February, and you know what that means. Approximately eighty percent of those who made New Year’s resolutions have failed.1
That’s right…you’re not alone.
Unless you’re in the 8% who will succeed and make it through the entire year. Imagine toasting your champagne (or protein drinks) on New Year’s Eve next December, celebrating the win. If you are, that’s truly badassery! Congratulations!
But, if you’re a mere mortal (like me), then we’re grateful for whatever percentage of success we’ve accomplished. Have I walked every day? Nope. Have I done my free weights and Asian squats every day? Nope.
But I have done them on some days.
I HAVE managed to do two short meditations every morning. This success is mainly because I do them before getting out of bed. I had similar success a few years back with stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis. I did the stretches faithfully each morning before my feet ever hit the floor. I suspect this is because life's distractions and shiny objects don’t get in the way while we’re still basking in the comforts of our beds.
We can control some things in life, but so much more that we cannot. Recognizing the difference is essential, particularly for people who quickly blame themselves (something I used to do all the time.) Between my husband’s habit of finding fault with me and my lack of self-confidence, I constantly uttered “Idiot” under my breath, an insult directed at myself.
Obviously, this type of thinking prevents us from ever creating a positive mindset. Sadly, that wasn’t obvious then.
Anyway, I’ve decided to stay positive and focus on the small victories, which is a challenge (especially on days when nothing seems to go our way.)
A Positive Outlook
Fortunately, optimism is a learned emotion.2 It adheres to the ‘use it or lose it’ idiom and the more we exercise it the stronger it grows. This is a challenge today, where bad news seems nonstop. Every country has its problems, and here in the US, it feels like we’re sitting on a ticking time bomb.
However, it’s important to remember that while lousy news gets all the press, plenty of wonderful people do good work daily. We must balance our exposure accordingly to stay informed without overdosing on the negativity.
The advantages of doing this are better mental and physical health. A positive outlook helps us form more engaged relationships and stick to fitness routines and nutritious diets, which can reduce chronic disease. Optimists also tend to sleep better.
Persistent stress leads to inflammation, shortening the caps on the ends of our chromosomes, which signifies how well we’re aging. When this happens, these telomeres3 cannot replicate into new cells, which sets the stage for disease.
Want to live longer? Give your ‘happy’ muscle regular exercise. 🔽
Positivity Tips
Identify people who emulate a positive outlook. This could be a family member, friend, or someone famous. Ask them how they maintain their bright perspective. Concerning famous people, read their books or watch their interviews. You can even post their photos and quotes where you’ll see them regularly, such as your desk or phone wallpaper.
Another way to reinforce optimism in our daily lives is to use passwords that reflect it. Instead of the usual ones, try SoBlessed* or Life_Iz_G00d2024!
Make a positivity playlist. Music evokes emotions, so create a roster of songs that remind you of happy times. Dutch psychologist Jacob Jolij developed a Feel Good Index that correlates a mathematical formula to uplifting music:
Jolij's final equation of Feel Good Index (FGI) includes the sum of all positive references in the lyrics, the song's tempo in beats per minute and its key. The higher a song's FGI, the more feel-good it is predicted to be. Happy lyrics, a fast tempo of 150 beats per minute (the average pop song has a tempo of 116 beats per minute), and a major third musical key all help create music we perceive as brimming with positive emotion.
(Here are the top 110 songs that utilize this formula (for your listening pleasure.)
An attitude of gratitude keeps us feeling upbeat and reminds us daily of our blessings, which is helpful. Whether it’s a detailed journal or a brief list, this practice helps us see the good in our lives.
Set aside a few minutes to catastrophize. Yes, you read that right. Imagine the worst-case scenarios that could happen but haven’t. Being mindful of the ‘what ifs’ helps with the attitude of gratitude discussed above. But don’t overdo it; this should remain a short practice. Set a timer, and move on to other things once it goes off. Allowing yourself to ruminate at 4 p.m. may prevent a worry session at 4:00 a.m. And again, writing things down can help.
When going through tough times, I often think, “Well, it COULD be worse,” and then imagine all the ways that might be true. I know you seldom have to look far to find someone worse off.
We’re living through difficult days, and paying attention to how we feel physically and mentally is important. We should practice self-care and limit our exposure to negative people and things.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive. ~ Maya Angelou
Rather, we should surround ourselves with those who bring us joy and immerse ourselves in the things that give our lives meaning. Whether writing, art, music, nature, etc., balance is the key to unlocking a positive mindset. Not every day will be perfect, but that’s okay. Perfection isn’t the goal; a happier and more contented life is.
Thanks for reading; see you next time! 🙏
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
“What is your favorite way to keep positivity in your life?”
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So agree!
So blessed. I love that suggestion. Thanks for the positivity today.