There are many benefits to overall health and wellbeing when you learn how to be more positive. So it is in one's best interests to maintain a more positive attitude. But that doesn't mean we have to pretend to be happy all the time. An NIH article put it best:
"Having a positive outlook doesn’t mean you never feel negative emotions, such as sadness or anger, says Dr. Barbara L. Fredrickson, a psychologist and expert on emotional wellness at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 'All emotions—whether positive or negative—are adaptive in the right circumstances. The key seems to be finding a balance between the two,' she says."
Balance is the key. Which means that when bad things happen, and they will, we don't dwell on the negative. Instead we focus on accepting how things are, while figuring out what we can do about them. It is important to focus on what IS going well as well as what isn't. It is easier said than done, but with support and maintaining good self care, it can become second nature.
Cultivating a positive outlook allows us to stay open to all possibilities. I find that people are often negative because of family of origin issues, negative self talk, self hatred, and unresolved issues from the past. Traumatic events also contribute to negative thinking.
How to Be More Positive
It all starts with nonjudgemental awareness of how we are thinking and what we are doing. Psychotherapy can help you identify negative thought patterns and unhelpful behaviors. With your therapist, you can work on developing insight while learning new ways of thinking and coping. It takes time, but you will feel better once you have started making changes. You may need to heal old traumas. Negativity impacts our self worth, so over time you may find you have improved self esteem, are more confidence, and perhaps have a more positive outlook.
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For More Information
Here is a link to the article I mentioned earlier: Positive Emotions and Your Health and here is a link to an earlier blog on our website on Stress: Nature and Stress Relief one more on the benefits of Art Therapy, which is very helpful in improving self confidence and self esteem: Art Therapy - Art is Medicine