Recent article on the Wall Street Journal revealed that there is a hope to the pessimists. We are more than capable of training our brain to think positive even though we were wired otherwise.
Each time when you are about to think how dreadful your life is ... think about something that you are thankful for --for every one negative thought you have about yourself, think about five positive things that you are proud of.
In the articles, the author, Elizabeth Bernstein, mentions another method that helps is spending some of your time when you are down by helping others. The result is quite impressive, in fact, it is a method that is used by psychologist or psychotherapist to help depression patients to regain their happiness. The author also mentioned that as part of the way to help lessen the negativity is to vent outs as well.
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| Property of the Wall Street Journal, illustrated by Jim Haynes |
Another way is to keep track of your accomplishments and happy moments, when time needed, flip through those moments and in no time, you will find yourself back --the positive ones. She listed more examples, such as, a lady who celebrated her recovery from long depression by making herself valentine card. Each time when she looks at the card, it reminds her that she has pulled through a difficult moment in her life.
Some people even talk to themselves briefly --using the voice that was used to scold themselves when they were not doing their best, the very same voice would comfort them, just like a friend would do, giving support to friends in need..
Some people are collecting fan cards, letters and emails that were sent by clients or friends, and when difficult times hit, reading them would boost up their confidence and happiness.
Need more reasons? If we don't love ourselves, who else would! With that in mind, make sure to train our brains to think positive and when need be instead of being harsh on ourselves --self compassion is the way to go!
Until next stop,
Journey of Life
I am thinking happy thoughts x5. Good post for me cause I am a wanna-be optimist.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
DeleteI am glad you like it and I am sure thing will work out just the way you want it.
Take care!
Boy, this speaks to me. I am a well wired worrier. Which I think makes me a pessimist. Which runs in the family. My mother to the point where she thinks since she was born she's been stamped with a mark on her forehead.
ReplyDeleteOh ... Sandra. I think majority of the mothers are worriers. We just need a little bit of twist in our arms.
DeleteLove the photo and agree, happy thoughts always pick me up :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy. Every time I see you ... I am reminded of my countless plan to visit Sedona --someday :-)
DeleteThese are some really great tips for people who tend to see the negative things rather than the positive!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry. I love reading the article about you (the interview.)
DeleteGreat article! Sometimes people need to be reminded that someone always has it worse than you. That helps put things in perspective when negative thoughts try to creep in... My thing-I turn off the tv when am feeling a bit blue as I find it filled with negativity sometimes.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. TV nowadays is no longer like it used to be.
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