Have you ever taken a moment to look around you during a leisurely stroll and notice that some of the happiest people around you are seniors or children? I have, and to my conclusion I believe it comes down to one thing: they enjoy the simple things in life. If you think about it, they're never overthinking or worrying about something that might not happen - they are simply present.
For many, leading a positive lifestyle can sometimes seem a lot more complicated than it really is. While it may take some getting used to, there are steps you can take to uncover the positive aspects of your life instead of suppressing them with unnecessary drama.
To live a positive life is to be happy and at the core of happiness is a positive outlook that many of us neglect to apply to most situations. Today, we explain our top tips in depth and as you read on, make sure to be present. Keep in mind the significance of being positive and remember to always do your best despite the obstacles that may come your way.
Exercise regularly
We can’t stress this enough so let’s get it out of the way: the key to a healthy mind is a healthy body. This is an easy one because exercise can be as simple as going for a walk everyday or as strenuous as hitting the weight room 5 times a week. If the gym scares you, why not walk to school or work in the mornings instead of taking a car? Or, take your pup on a longer walk in the evenings? If you don’t like either, try practicing stretch yoga…it can be very meditative and refreshing.
Nourish yourself
When it comes to food, eat less junk and be more mindful about what you put into your body. It’s simple—all you need to do is incorporate healthier ingredients into meals that you normally wouldn’t. For instance, you could add spinach to a berry smoothie, a scrambled egg, or even into your tomato sauce for dinner. If you're not into spinach, try sprinkling chia seeds and almond flakes on your morning granola or in your salad for lunch. By incorporating more superfoods and opting for healthier options you’ll feel more energized and in turn your state of mind will thank you.
Appreciate what you have
It’s easy to focus on what we don't have or where we aren't in life when we don’t get what we want. Especially when we compare ourselves to others. However, the secret to making sure it doesn’t destroy your positive outlook on life is to accept that everything happens for a reason. Once you realize that this is just life doing you favours, positivity will come. Leave the negatives in the past, but make sure you know that they exist in order to help you achieve better things. Hoping and wishing that your life was different because you’re unhappy today will only leave you disappointed tomorrow. Instead of feeling like something is missing, appreciate everything you have and focus on how you can make the most of it.
Savour the good moments
One of the most important steps toward living a more positive lifestyle is being able to reinforce the good moments in life instead of focusing on the negatives. Consciously thinking about the positives in life makes them stick— but we know it isn't always an easy thing to do. Our brain is trained to remember low points and dwell on them, but you are capable of changing this so that the positives eventually outweigh the negatives in your mind. Use a small journal, your phone’s notes, or a similar app to jot down a few positive thoughts daily. Take note of a stranger complimenting your outfit, a beautiful sunny blue sky, or even something as simple as waking up fully rested or how delicious your breakfast was this morning. Write down as many as you can everyday and read them every night before bed.
Do something kind
The way we treat others is sometimes a reflection of ourselves. So why not try to change a negative headspace into a positive one by bringing others up? By being nice to others we take a step towards bettering ourselves, and it goes full circle because the love we receive back often plays a huge role in how we perceive the world around us. Complimenting or simply smiling at people will reward you in many ways. We always try to treat others how we would like to be treated, but also be mindful of how others would appreciate being treated.
Compliments to strangers aren’t the only compliments you should be giving. We are all surrounded by loved ones who wouldn’t turn down a nice remark or gesture. Is there anyone in your life who you really appreciate? Maybe even your morning barista who goes out of their way to make your day better with a cheesy joke and a smile? Let them know how awesome they are from time to time. A simple text or Facebook message (or even a nice meme) will relay the message. Watch their reaction and see how it makes you feel to know that you’ve brightened someone else’s day.
Live in the moment
Be cautious of how much time you’re spending on your phone and computer. Whenever you can, try to go for walks or read a book on a park bench—without bringing your phone along! It’s so cliché but also very effective. You might have other “hobbies” you’d prefer to do (Netflix, anyone?), but we guarantee your mind will benefit positively from dedicating a couple hours a day to unplug. We’re so used to having our phones everywhere we go, it becomes a routine that we're just used to.
Instead, our advice is to start living in the moment. Everyday we’re so busy looking down at our screens that we miss seeing the exciting life around us. Stop to take in the life around you, you don’t have to think about how others live, you don't have to dwell on the past, or wonder about the future. Instead, you can enjoy the world around you without over analyzing it, and maybe something new and exciting will catch your eye. If you’re really up for the challenge, try a couple days without social media and be active about going outside and taking part new activities.
Learn from the past
Resentment and holding on to the past has never been beneficial to anyone. When you’re feeling upset, angry, or irritated, remember that you can’t control everything that happens. However, the one thing that you can control is yourself. Turn the negatives around and focus on moving on and looking forward to better things. Instead of holding onto the past, reflect on negative situations and teach yourself to recognize your mistakes so you don’t repeat them. But don’t beat yourself up next time you find yourself in a rut. You can only gain strength and positivity for the future whenever these hiccups happen, so take every opportunity as a learning curve.
Rid your life of negative energy
When you’re negative, you attract negative people around you. The sooner you realize there are people who weigh you down more than they lift you up, the faster you can create a positive lifestyle for yourself. It might be hard at first, but try to identify these people if they do exist in your life and eventually distance yourself. Whether it is a friend, a coworker, a neighbour, or even a family member, the best thing to do is slowly fill your days with other activities or people, and let them know that you need some time to focus on yourself. Obviously this is a big step so make sure you’ve thought about it carefully before making any rash decisions.
Negative energy also comes in the form of an ego. When you put your ego first, you’ll attract others who also put their ego first. An ego can make them controlling and sometimes arrogant—if this isn’t the type of person you would like to be around, then consider how others may feel when you act that way. If this is something you struggle with, work on being authentic and open yourself up to others. It will make you much happier in the long run.
Now, take some time to hang out with yourself. Find fun, healthy activities to engage in—you don’t know what types of positive influences you might attract while doing so!
Love yourself
Remind yourself everyday that you look good, you’re smart, you’re a great parent, you are an awesome chef, anything that you tell yourself enough of! learn to love ALL of you the way you are - because you're perfect in your own way. Everyone has their flaws, and as soon as you feel comfortable being in your own skin, you will achieve happiness and radiate positivity.
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