3 minute read
l Optimism
How to be an optimist...
Optimism is such an underrated skill; it has so many benefits, including increased wellbeing and better sleep and everyone can adapt their lives to experience it. It’s so simple to incorporate into your everyday life. A good place to start is, to create some positive mantras for yourself, one’s in which you can think back to when times are tough, and which will lead you back onto a positive mental path.
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Focus on your successes, and remember the hurdles you’ve over come to achieve them! Having gratitude for your successes will only spur you on to do better.
Have a focus, whether it’s a positive role model, a goal or just to trying something new, it’ll encourage you to think of the most positive outcomes, of which you are aiming to reach for.
Stay positive, everyone is faced with challenges throughout their lives, however it’s not necessarily the challenged which throw us off course, but the way we interpret and reaction to them. You can’t always change events or circumstances; however you can change how you perceive and respond to them. In any situation think of the positives and also what you can learn and gain from your experience, rather than what you have lost. This is always the first step to bouncing back when it comes to disappointment. And when it comes to tragedy take comfort in the good times, for they’ll never change.
I keep my eyes on the horizon.
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Sophie says.....
How to be an optimist... by Sophie Fitzjohn.
Try to avoid predicting the future, nothing is certain; therefore it’s important to try not to predict the future based on what has happened before. When things don’t go to plan in life, optimists tend to see it as an isolated event; whilst pessimists often look out for reoccurring patterns of bad luck, and think “if it’s happened once, it’ll happen again”. However in life this just isn’t the case.
Surround yourself with positive vibes! Spending time with negative people means it’s only a matter of time before it starts to rub off on you. Being around like minded positive people is important to ensure you optimism for life is present and in full swing! This also applies to other influences in your life, such as movies, music and books. Surround yourself with positive influences and see the effect it has on your state of mind. Mindfulness and mediation are great outlets to explore when it comes to seeing the positives in everyday life and remaining grounded.
Do something for yourself and keep a Gratitude Diary. When something bad happens and puts us in a foul mood, it rarely escapes our attention. However how often do
The glass is most definitely half full.
we actually appreciate when things are going smoothly? Reflecting in a gratitude journal changes your focus and thinking, and enables you to be grateful for all the things that do go to plan.
Challenge negative thoughts; negative thoughts are often based on our own fears, doubts and low-self- esteem. Therefore to over come this, you need to challenge these thoughts and put them into perspective. Ask yourself what’s the evidence that these thoughts are true? And the evidence that they are not? All negative predictions are usually just that, predictions.
Always focus on the solution, rather than the problem. To be an optimist, look for the solutions. Pessimists tend to focus on the problem; and that’s not helpful for anyone, as it doesn’t change the situation. Don’t waste time reflecting on what could have been, let go and get proactive planning your next step!
Fake it till you make it! Optimism isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, and it can take time to change your mindset. So in the meantime, attempt to put the action before the feeling and interpret a more positive outlook. Studies have shown that it is possible to trick yourself into a more positive mindset by going through the motions. Smiling, laughing more and speaking in a positive tone are all ways that can help you onto the road of optimism and happiness!
