Positive living is a choice. Some say it’s a skill. Positivity sets your emotional and mental health as a priority. It’s cultivating habits in your life that shape your attitude about people and living. You might feel challenged when you try to battle negative thoughts that invade your mind. But rest assured–choosing positivity over negativity is one key to a happier, more fulfilling life.
Here are some positive living tips to help increase your mental and emotional health every day.
10 Positive Living Hacks to Try Today
1 – Find purpose in your life
Having a purpose-filled life helps you move forward in your life. Purposefulness gets you up in the morning. Many people find their faith in God gives them purpose and happiness in their life. Believing in God shapes their view of themselves and others. It helps them ask: Who is God preparing me to be? According to a study by the Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, people who attend religious services at least once a week are less likely to die from despair. Faith in God is associated with a greater sense of peace and a positive outlook.
2 – Get enough sleep
Individuals who get enough sleep are less apt to suffer from depression and other mental health problems. Why is sleep so important for more positive living? It recharges your mind and body. Rest is also significant to positivity because it
- Improves your memory
- Improves your ability to learn
- It helps you be more creative
- Improves your ability to make decisions
- Protects your heart
- Protects you from becoming obese
3 – Get exercise
Exercise is essential for a healthy body and mind. It offsets depression and improves your mood. Exercise relieves anxiety, improves your sleep, and reduces your stress. It’s thought that most people should aim to get 150 minutes of activity every week. That averages out to around thirty minutes of exercise three times a week. The best exercises for all ages include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Strength training with weights
- Push-ups
- Yoga
4 – Get creative
If you want to add positivity to your life, get creative. Creativity acts your mind away from your everyday problems. As you focus on creativity, it stimulates your mind to relieve you of your stress. Creativity allows you to look for abstract ideas to solve problems. This stimulates your brain and energizes you. Studies found that creating art enhances positive emotions and a sense of well-being. People who got pursued creative endeavors said they felt happier and had more energy.
5 – Get outdoors
Getting outside into the fresh air and sunshine increases your mental health benefits. Exposure to natural sunlight improves your sense of self-esteem and makes you feel happier. When you’re outside, your brain releases serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer. Spending time outdoors is restful. It’s an escape from the four walls of your home. Hearing the birds sing, and feeling a breeze on your face, allows your mind to decompress. Try to incorporate a little time outdoors every day. It will give you a chance to relax and get energized. Choose any simple outdoor activity such as:
- Taking a bike ride
- Going for a walk
- Gardening in your backyard
- Birdwatching
- Swimming in a lake
- Have a snack on a bench at the park
6 – Increase your social connections
One way to enhance your positive living is to spend more time with people. Knowing you have relationships with people who care for you boosts your mental health.
Social relationships and positive mental health go together. Solid friendships help lower your anxiety and depression. Healthy social relationships
- Improve your self-esteem
- Help you have more empathy for others
- Enhance your ability to trust others
- Enhance your ability to work with others
Your social connections help you make more friends, which gives you a sense of being part of a group and feeling part of something bigger than yourself.
7 – Speak positive words
An ancient proverb says, Anxiety in a man’s(or woman’s) heart weighs it down, but a good word makes him(her) glad. (Proverbs 12:25 ESV). If you focus on the many burdens of your life, you’ll feel weighed down. Why not shift your thoughts and give yourself a good word? Try focusing on solutions instead of problems. Tell yourself what’s good in your life. There’s always something positive, even if it’s fundamental, such as:
- You are alive today
- You’ll have a place to sleep tonight
- You had food
- You have clothing
- The sun is shining
When you speak positive words to yourself, it helps you feel better about your life. It shifts your focus off the negatives and motivates you to keep going.
8 – Get gratefulness
Being grateful reduces your stress levels. It helps you soothing and focus on the positives. Make an effort to be thankful to the people around you at a restaurant, the grocery store, or school. It may surprise you how much better you’ll feel when you choose to be grateful rather than complain.
9 – Laugh more
Studies suggest that when you laugh, it has positive physiological effects. Laughing causes chemical changes to occur in our bodies. This helps increase your pain tolerance and lightens your mood. It doesn’t matter whether you have spontaneous laughter or even “fake” your laughter, both types of laughter are just as helpful to reduce stress and make you feel more optimistic. Laugh more to increase your positive mental health.
10 – Eat well
Mental health directly connects to a healthy body. Choosing to eat healthy foods boosts your mental health and increases your positivity. Focus on eating healthy, whole foods rather than processed. Look for healthy ways to prepare these foods for the most nutritional benefits. Choose to eat lots of fresh, crunchy veggies, fruits, lean meats, and fibrous whole grains. Avoid unhealthy fats or high sodium foods found in fast foods.
Why Are These Positive Living Tips Worth Incorporating into Your Life?
You hear no one say that being positive has hurt their life. That’s because positivity has no cons, only pros. Here are some benefits of positive living.
1 – You’ll be more focused
When you choose positive living, it helps you stay focused on what’s most important in life. You’ll be able to decide based on your priorities and values in life.
2 – You’ll have a more robust immune system
When you live with a positive view of life, you strive for a happy, healthy life. You’ll take better care of yourself, which strengthens your immune system. This is because of the healthy lifestyle practices of eating and exercise you make every day. You’re more likely to heal quicker if you get sick because of your positive attitude and strength.
3 – You’ll feel happier
A positive view of life links to feeling happier and more satisfied. Positive thinking motivates you to focus on solutions instead of your problems. It helps you have a hopeful attitude about your life. You can choose to be happy, even in difficult situations.
4 – You’ll have more self-confidence
These positive living tips will help you have a positive attitude, which will boost your self-confidence. Confidence is being clear-headed enough to choose the right course of action. It’s accomplishing things effectively. Self-confidence is trusting your abilities. When you are self-confident, you can try new things and take risks. You will face challenges better and not give up.
5 – You’ll have enough money
Positivity helps you to have better financial situations. This is usually because you make working at your job a priority. You are a good team player and receive promotions at work. You choose a friendly attitude even when you’re working with difficult people. This helps you to be more successful in your career.
6 – You’ll be more resilience
A person with a positive attitude doesn’t get overwhelmed by difficulties in their life. They know challenges are part of life. They believe they can get through with the support of others and their faith in God. Positive people are flexible willing to persevere when they need.
7 – You’ll be able to forgive
Choosing to be positive doesn’t mean you don’t admit your faults. It means you are aware of your wrongdoings, so it helps you extend forgiveness to others. You know people make mistakes, and you will let go of things. It doesn’t mean that what they did was right, but it means you will not tolerate this thing dominating your life. You’re ready to move on.
Final Thoughts on Trying These Tips for Increased Positive Living
Positive living sets you up for the best emotional and mental health. It shapes your attitudes and the choices you make in life. You’ve heard no one say being positive has hurt their life. When you choose to be positive, there are only benefits. Try applying some of these positive living tips to your life. See if you notice you feel happier and energized about your life.
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