How to be positive

Are you feeling down or stressed out? 

It's normal to experience negative emotions, especially during difficult times. But did you know that practicing positivity can help you reduce stress, improve your mental and physical health, and even boost your outlook on life? 

Positivity is so much more than just a buzzword or a single positive thought. It's a mindset that involves focusing on the bright side of things, even in the face of adversity. While it's not always easy to find the silver lining, cultivating a positive outlook can have a profound impact on your physical and mental well-being. And if that’s something that you’d like to have more of in your life, keep reading to learn the psychology of positivity and practical tips for cultivating a positive mindset. 

The psychology of positivity as a coping skill for mental health

By helping you cultivate positive emotions like gratitude, hope, and joy, positivity can, well, help you develop a more positive outlook on life. 

Practicing positivity can also have a profound impact on both your mental and physical health. In fact, research has shown that positive emotions can reduce stress, increase feelings of contentment, and even boost your immune system.

Additionally, positivity can help you cope with difficult situations by enabling you to reframe negative experiences in a more positive light. This can lead to greater resilience and improved mental health outcomes.

What’s more, positivity can help you find joy in everyday life by enabling you to focus on the good things in your life rather than dwelling on the negative. This can lead to increased happiness and life satisfaction.

So, are you ready to learn how to practically embrace more positivity? 

5 ways to cultivate a positive mindset

There are so many ways to cultivate a positive mindset, but here are a few we recommend: 

1. Mindfulness and gratitude

Mindfulness is a practice that involves focusing on the present moment and cultivating a sense of awareness and acceptance. By practicing mindfulness, you can cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment that can help you feel good, both physically and mentally.

In addition, practicing gratitude involves focusing on the good things in your life and cultivating a sense of appreciation for them. 

And when you combine these two practices together—through activities such as gratitude journals and daily affirmations—you’ll experience all the benefits simultaneously, which can help you feel good, both physically and mentally.

2. Optimism and resilience

Optimism is not a fixed perspective. It's something you can train, just like any other skill, through techniques such as cognitive restructuring and spending time with positive people. And over time, you can improve how optimistic you feel about your life and future.

3. Positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are statements that you repeat to yourself to help you cultivate a positive mindset. By repeating positive affirmations—especially ones that resonate with you—you can transform negative thoughts into positive ones and build the coping skills you need to deal with difficult situations.

4. Confronting negative thoughts

Negative thoughts can be a major obstacle to positivity. By addressing negative thoughts and transforming them into positive ones, you can build the coping skills you need to deal with difficult situations and find joy in everyday life.

For example, imagine you find yourself thinking, “What if I mess up?” When that happens, immediately follow that thought by saying to yourself, “This is a chance to expand my skill set.”

5. Cognitive restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a technique that involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. By transforming negative thoughts into positive ones, you can build the coping skills you need to deal with difficult situations and find joy in everyday life.

This can be done through simple exercises such as journaling and positive self-talk. 

The role of people and environment on positivity

Now that you know more about how to cultivate positivity from within, it’s time to take a look around. Because positive people and environments can have a profound impact on your positivity. 

Think about it: When someone’s in a bad mood, you also begin to sense those feelings within yourself, too. Or when you’re in a chaotic environment, you may start to feel stressed or uncomfortable.

Building positive relationships

It’s a no-brainer: Spending time with positive people can help you feel happier and more content. That’s because a positive person tends to have a more optimistic outlook on life, and their positive energy can be infectious. 

Want to build more positive relationships of your own? Here are a few of our tips: 

• Active listening: Actively listening to others is an important aspect of building positive relationships. It shows that you value their thoughts and feelings and can help you understand their perspective more deeply.
• Expressing gratitude: Expressing gratitude can help you build stronger relationships by showing appreciation for the people in your life. Consider taking the time to thank someone for something they've done or simply expressing your appreciation for their presence in your life.
• Spending time with positive people: Spending time with positive people can help you absorb their positivity and benefit from their support and encouragement.

Designing a positive space

In addition to who surrounds you, what surrounds you also impacts your mood. 

Our personal space is where we spend much of our time, so it's important that it promotes feelings of calm and well-being. A cluttered or disorganized space can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety, while a clean and organized space can promote feelings of peace and contentment.

Here are some practical tips for designing a positive physical environment:

• Declutter: Decluttering is an important aspect of creating a positive physical environment. So take some time to get rid of any unnecessary items that may be contributing to clutter.
• Incorporate natural elements: Natural elements, such as plants or natural light, can help you feel more connected to the world around you. Consider incorporating these elements into your personal space to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
• Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature can have a profound impact on your overall levels of positivity. Consider taking a walk in the park or spending time in your backyard to connect with the natural world.

Maintaining your positivity: Long-term strategies

Maintaining a positive mindset can be challenging, but there are strategies you can use to help you stay positive over the long term. 

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

The power of habits

Consistency is key. And by incorporating positive habits into your daily routine, you can build the coping skills you need to deal with difficult situations and find joy in everyday life. Here are some tips for creating and maintaining positive habits:

• Focus on the positive: When creating new habits, it's important to focus on positive self-talk and avoid negative thoughts or self-criticism. This can help you stay motivated and build momentum over time.
• Visualize success: Visualization is a powerful tool for creating new habits. By imagining yourself successfully incorporating positive behaviors into your daily routine, you can build the confidence and motivation to take action.

Consistent mindfulness practice

Regular mindfulness practice can help you cultivate a sense of gratitude and contentment that can boost your overall well-being.

Regular practice is important: As you can see, habits are everything. So to reap the benefits of mindfulness, it's important to practice regularly. 

Different forms of mindfulness: There are many different forms of mindfulness practice, so it's important to find what works best for you. Some people prefer more structured practices like meditation with the Balance app, while others find that spending time in nature or practicing gratitude is more effective and sustainable long term.

Start applying coping skills for mental health with Balance today

Practicing positivity can help you reduce stress, improve your mental and physical health, and even boost your outlook on life. And by incorporating positive habits into your daily routine, you can build the coping skills you need to deal with difficult situations and find joy in everyday life.

And if you’re looking for even more ways to practice positivity, check out the Balance app on iOS or Android. This app provides guided meditations, breathing exercises, and other techniques to help you improve your mood, like it has been for this reviewer:

“This is the best meditation app I've used. It’s easy to use, and effective, and it helps put my mindset in a more positive place. Thank you!” 

More specifically, Balance offers a Positivity meditation. You'll spend a few minutes looking for small ways to spread joy to yourself and others, which can improve your current mood and overall outlook on life.