By: Mary P Wells
When your encouragement meter is running low, how do you usually refill it? Have you considered exercise? Rest assured, you won’t have to do any jumping jacks and you may not even break a sweat. Keep calm and consider this. A key component of daily exercise, to live in peace, is positivity. What is positivity? Well, there is no one definition. However, Emma-Marie Smith, an award-winning writer from the UK, defines positivity in the article “What Is Positivity? The Definition May Surprise You,” as “the act of training your brain to think and respond to situations calmly and optimistically.”
Also, the Mayo Clinic Staff shares in the article “Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress,” that researchers find a connection between positive thinking and optimism with health benefits, including longevity of life, “better psychological and physical well-being,” and enduring hardships and stressful moments.
To reinforce positive messaging around women in general, I will remind you of the priority to take ownership of creating peace in the space around you. We understand how to approach consistent positivity with a made-up decision in our thought process to achieve wins and grow over losses. So, what are some suggested starting points? In the article “28 Ways to Encourage Positive Thinking and Inner Peace,” Alex DeWoskin, LCSW with 2nd Story Counseling from Chicago, Illinois, shares a positive thinking list of helpful things to do so that we become positive thinkers. At the top of the list is to start with a morning routine. Our attitude at this early time sets the tone for the day. He adds that “having an attitude boosting morning can start the day off right” and continue with us for the remainder of the day. Number five on the list addresses uploading positivity into our brains by reading books with positive messages, listening to elevating music, and watching cheerful movies – great ways to incorporate a daily winding down.
What is interesting about the above-mentioned positive thinking list is that both Alex DeWoskin, LCS, and the Mayo Clinic Staff find it helpful to be in the company of people with positive attitudes. It is vital because the more we are in their presence, their positivity is released, influencing our perspective to approach a tough decision or conversation. Another positivity-boosting recommendation is to maintain a sense of humor because stress is exhaled. Laugh during challenging times in our workplaces, homes, relationships, or even with ourselves. We can go as far as to watch a funny television show or movie.
Also, from the above-mentioned positive thinking list, Alex DeWoskin, LCS, and Emma Marie-Marie Smith find it helpful to practice gratitude. Some practices include writing down or thinking of the things for which to be grateful. Do not forget to express gratitude for the more minor things, whether a comforter, a plant, or a family photo. Go as far as to do them as part of warm-up exercises for our minds. From there on, we can feel and look at the impact of peace in our lives.
The more consistent positive thinking activities we do, the stronger we show up ready, radiating positivity, and unbothered about the days ahead. Expect that not everything is going to work in your favor. However, we can use encouraging techniques and intentionally surround ourselves with positive people to live in peace always and in all the ways possible for us. The article links below are available to read in their entirety.
emma-Marie Smith, What is Positivity? The Definition May Surprise You https://www.healthplace.com/self-help/ positivity/what-is-the-defintion-may-surpriseyou
The Mayo Clinic Staff, Positive Thinking: Stop Negative Self-talk to Reduce Stress https:// www.mychicagotherapist.com/28-wayspositive-thinking/
Alex DeWoskin, LCSW, 28 Ways To Encourage Positive Thinking and Inner Peace, https://www. mychicagotherapist.com/28-ways-positivethinking/ x
Mary P. Wells is “The Encouragement Expert” whose Breast Cancer journey birthed One Word Encourage LLC, sharing encouragement worldwide to thrive. She is a 3-time International Best-Selling Author of the OWE Trilogy Journal Series at www.onewordencouragement.com.
