I was recently contacted by Anita Fernandes, who has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade, suggesting an article on mental health that would suit my blog. The result is this really nice article below where Anita reminds us of some of the things we can do to cultivate and maintain a positive mental attitude.
It can be really difficult to have a positive mental attitude, and when things go bad, they can seem to just get worse and worse. One thing that is important to remember is that our attitude is just something going on it our heads. It doesn’t really take any physical work, or money, to change this and it can change instantly (even though it isn’t easy). Hopefully some of Anita’s tips below will help some of us achieve a more positive mental attitude.
Please enjoy Anita’s article below.
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The most important thing to know about a positive mental attitude is that it is a choice. Having a positive mental attitude means acknowledging that you have the power to change your attitude and approach to life. A positive mental attitude will help you lead a happier and more fulfilled life. Since you are here reading this, it means that you are interested in cultivating a positive mindset. Here are a few steps to help you get started in the right direction.
7 Steps to Cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude
- Be good to yourself
The first step towards a positive mind-set is to look out for yourself, take care of yourself and most importantly, love yourself. We spend so much of our time thinking about all the things we’ve done wrong in the past and where we could have been if it were not for those mistakes. We set unrealistic goals so when we fail to meet those targets, we get frustrated and disappointed. Be realistic and honest when assessing your strengths and weaknesses and learn to love and respect yourself for who you are as an individual. This simple act of kindness will help to improve your self-esteem and self-confidence and help you move away from negativity.
- Stop negative thoughts instantly
Negative thoughts have a tremendous impact on your emotional, mental and physical health. Researchers found that 80-99% of the general population experiences negative thoughts which are linked to the development of psychopathology. They also found that the only way to reduce negative thoughts is through cognitive defusion techniques (CDT). Cognitive defusion involves disconnecting yourself from your thoughts and feelings so that you can process them in a clear and impartial manner. For instance when you’re anxious about a job interview, you start to doubt your abilities. Take a step back, realize that the only reason you are having such thoughts is because of your anxiety and that you need to calm down and stop this train of negative thoughts.
- Become more appreciative
Life has its ups and downs but most of us tend to focus on our problems. Once you start to appreciate everything you have, you will automatically gain a more positive perspective. Start each day on a positive note by listing 5 things in your life. Before you go to bed, list 5 things in your day that made you happy. This simple step will help you move away from a negative mental attitude.
- Bounce back quickly after a disappointment
Despite all your hard work, you may have been passed over for a promotion at work or a relationship may have ended unexpectedly – there’s always a gap between how you want things to turn out and how they actually unfold. It’s normal to feel a certain amount of sadness and disappointment at these times. Do not try to ignore your emotions but don’t wallow in your grief either. Accept the situation for what it is and move on.
- View failures as lessons
For most of us, failure is synonymous with fault and blame and it can take a while to change this mindset. Failure is inevitable and it can even be a good thing because it offers a unique learning opportunity. Transform your negative self-talk by reminding yourself “never a failure, always a lesson”. When you face failure, take a step back and analyze it to determine the root cause of the problem and the ideal way to deal with it to prevent recurrence.
- Surround yourself with positive people
Attitude and mood are contagious which is why we often feel happier around positive people but have a low mood when we are around people who complain all the time. Spend more of your time meeting people who are positive and happy as they will help improve your mood and mindset. You might also have to make tough decisions about the people who are already in your life. If you have a few friends that are negative, spend less time in their company so that you are less influenced by their negativity.
- Stay grounded in reality
As with most things in life, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. While it is healthy to have a positive outlook, make sure to avoid toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is where you don’t acknowledge the struggles and hardships in your life and instead just keep telling yourself that you need to move on ASAP. A healthy positive mindset does not mean that you will never feel sad or low, instead it means that you acknowledge these emotions while retaining your positive attitude.
It’s not always easy to cultivate a positive attitude after decades of negativity but it is always worth the effort. Stress and anxiety are a normal aspect of life but having a positive mental attitude will help to decrease their effects on your mind and body. A positive mindset won’t help you avoid difficult times, but it will help you work through them to become a stronger and happier person.
Author’s Bio: Anita Fernandes has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, public health, and weight loss and has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers. Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle, as she has battled and overcome eating disorders and obesity. She shares her experiences in an effort to help others overcome the physical and mental health problems that can sometimes seem insurmountable.
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