How to keep a positive mindset for a healthier mind and body (plus 3 techniques to get you started)

How to develop and keep a positive mindset.

Learning how to develop and keep a positive mindset is one of the most important lessons you can learn in life. It starts with understanding that we can control the thoughts in our head, and the way we react to things going on in our lives.

Understanding this is so important, because this is really when you learn that you are in control of your life.

Really, these are two sides of the same coin. Our thoughts within and our reactions to the world. But they are both worth addressing, because they manifest in different ways.

Are your thoughts positive or negative?

First, let’s look at the thoughts in our head. There they are looping around, often the same thoughts going around and around. And you might be surpirsed to find they are not always that positive.

In fact, the folks at GoodTherapy say that research shows that nearly 80% of our self-talk can be negative.

One of the most effective ways to capture these thoughts, and take a look at the quality of them, is to spend some time journalling. Writing your thoughts down not only allows you to release those stuck on repeat, but it can give you a chance to step back and analyse them a bit. Why do I feel that way? Am I being choosing to be optimistic or pessimistic? Am I using language that’s not fair – like “this always happens”… when really it’s only every now and then.

How are you reacting to situations?

Then there is the way we react to things happening in our lives. This is about understanding that while we have no control over many things that happen around us, we have EVERY control over how we react to them.

And the more we can put this into practice, consciously making a choice of how we react and of what we allow to loop around on our self-talk soundtrack, the more we can create a positive mindset.

Positivity will start to come naturally.

Reaping the benefits of a positive mindset.

The best bit is that we reap a lot of positive benefits when we keep a positive mindset. Positive thinking helps to reduce stress, which in turn strengthens the body and reduces the chance of stress-related diseases.

Learning how to be positive and practice positive thinking will develop into a valuable lifelong skill that can improve many aspects of your life!

Now let’s get into some practical ways to do this…

Keeping a positive mindset through positive thinking techniques

1. Using Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are statements or phrases that we say to ourselves, either aloud or in our heads. They are so powerful because our conscious mind chooses them and affirms them, but our subconscious mind hears them, and believes them. 

Related Posts: 25 powerful positive affirmations for happiness, confidence and more!

Powerful daily affirmations can change your life. I’m not even exaggerating. You see, affirmations are more than a quick moment of positive thinking. They re-wire your brain by breaking your negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones.

Now, this is not just my opinion. Studies show that by using positive thoughts and affirmations, creativity and productivity increase by up to 25%.

The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

Winston Churchill

2. Engaging our senses

Studies show that when more of our senses are engaged we are more likely to get enjoyment out of something, than when only one or two of our senses are engaged.

Engaging our senses is an effective way to practice the art of being present.

Being in the moment.

Rather than thinking about what we need to do later in the day, or worrying about what someone said to you earlier in the day, the focus is on the present moment. And all that we can see, hear, smell, feel and taste.

Related Post: Engage your senses to improve your everyday life.

Spending a few minutes to do this every day can increase both happiness and calm. As we tend to rely heavily on our vision on a day to day basis, this allows our other senses, such as smell really shine through. Plus, they have stronger links in our brains to fond memories that will make us smile.

3. Set yourself a vision and a goal

Having a positive mindset is not only about having happy, cheerful thoughts. It’s also about feeling in control of your own life, knowing that you are in charge of the direction you are going and that, ultimately, you choose the life you live.

But how can you know if you are getting there, if you don’t even know the direction you are going? Spend some time thinking about what you actually want to achieve out of life, what your ideal life would look like. Day dream what you’re doing in ten, twenty years time and think about what aspects of this make you happy.

Related Post: How to set guiding principles to avoid uncertainty and indecision.

Then get busy setting yourself some goals to get you there! Once you are proactively chasing your best life, you will naturally feel more positive and in control.

Related Post: How to write a SMART goal that works for you.

We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. 

Swami Vivekananda

Final Thoughts

Positive thinking is a choice. And it’s only when we truly recognise this, that we begin to understand just how in control of our own lives we are. And once we know that – there really is no reason to not embrace a positive mindset.

If you’re looking for more ideas to keep a positive mindset, TinyBuddha and LifeHack have some great tips too.

Do you have any tips or techniques you’d like to share? Feel free to comment below and spread the good vibes!