It’s true that some of us are naturally more inclined to see the glass half full in life, no matter what curve balls come our way.
But according to science, positivity is also very much a skill you can also learn with the right habits.
By adopting a few simple daily practices, it turns out you can rewire your thinking to turn that frown upside down.
Self-growth expert Megan Wycklendt recently took to Fulfillment Daily to outline ten simple but powerful habits anyone can adopt to shift their mindset and increase their happiness.
Here are just five of our favourites to get you started.
1. Avoid complainers
You know the types. You probably have one in your office pod! You were feeling just fine today until they started banging on about the weather, last night’s TV, or maybe that there just aren’t any decent blokes around any more. Pretty soon, you’re on the same track with them and reaching for a sugar fix.
“A study done at the Warsaw School of Social Psychology shows that complaining leads to lower moods and negative emotions, decreased life satisfaction and optimism, and emotional and motivational deficits,” says Megan.
2. Keep a gratitude journal
Practising gratitude can create an appreciation for life that you never knew you could have, writes The Carousel columnist Desiree Taylor recently.
Megan endorses that practice too, explaining that “science has found that gratitude can significantly increase your happiness, and protect you from stress, negativity, anxiety and depression.”
Why is gratitude so powerful? Apparently, being thankful literally rewires your brain to help you more easily see the positive in life.
3. Breathe
You spend your entire life breathing, so it can be easy to forget just how powerful taking a moment to focus on your breath can be for your psychology. “Our breath changes depending on how we feel,” explains Megan. “The great news is that the connection goes the other way too. We can also change how we feel using our breath.”
4. Notice the righteous
Sadly, we live in a world that gives us plenty of reasons for heartbreak and worry. But even when the headlines present a parade of horrors, there are always glints of generosity, bravery, and the beauty of the human spirit shining through the darkness. Get in the habit of looking for them, suggests Megan.
“In every instance of natural disasters, war, traumatic experience, you will find people rising up, reaching out to each other and showing raw compassion and love. Hold onto the stories of modern day heroes and selflessness in the times of fear and devastation,” she advises.
5. Replace have with get
Do you ever notice how many times we say that we have to do something? I have to go to work. I have to go grocery shopping. I have to pay my rent. Now change this one little word to get and see what happens. I get to go to work. I get to go grocery shopping. Even, I get to pay my rent, says Megan.
“Your attitude quickly changes from needing to fulfill obligations to being grateful for the things that we become accustomed to having:Â a job to support you and your family, food on the table, and a roof over your head. Try to make this change when you are thinking to yourself and you may feel and appear happier and less stressed.”