Hey friends! This is a post about some simple and practical ways to prompt your brain to think more positive thoughts. But first, I have a couple of things to say about positivity.
It isn’t something you achieve once and for all.
Positivity is something you have to work at (and even re-learn, sometimes.) I’m writing this post today because I need it myself. Even though I’ve blogged a lot about being positive over the years, workplace stress has taken a serious toll on my mental health, and I’ve lost my focus on positivity.
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Am I embarrassed to admit that? Well, no. I’m only human. And I know from experience that I’m capable of cultivating that positive mindset again. I also know that, for me at least, positivity can be one powerful weapon against anxiety, stress, and depression.
Our thoughts determine a lot of our reality, and I think it’s a wonderful thing that we’re capable of changing the quality of our lives just by changing our thinking.
Zig Ziglar famously said: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” It’s so true. And the more we practice positivity, the more naturally our brain generates positive thoughts.
It isn’t about pretending everything’s fine.
Let me give you an example. Over the weekend, one of my little dogs, Moxie, had a seizure and wound up spending two nights in a pet hospital, where they treated her for a serious heart issue. Mox is back home with us now, and we have a lot of meds for her, but we’re not sure how things will go. While Moxie was in the hospital, I had a good cry. I love that sweet, bossy little dog. I didn’t tell myself it wasn’t sad.
Sometimes life hurts. Sometimes we have to cope with negative environments. I think being positive is all about finding ways to keep, or regain, your sense of balance and your sense of hope. Even in the worst situations, it can be a consolation.
All right. Let’s talk about some ways to be positive!
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1. Read an uplifting book.
Or listen to one! Here’s something I’ve just started doing: listening to encouraging and inspiring audiobooks while I take a bubble bath. The hot water, the bubbles, and the positive thinking all work together to melt away stress.
2. Put together a positive playlist.
We all have those songs that never fail to put us in a good mood. Music can have such a powerful effect on our emotions and outlook. That’s why Hollywood puts so much care into soundtracks for movies! And speaking of movies…
3. Watch “comfort food” TV and movies.
Listen, if rewatching a few episodes of The Office, Schitt’s Creek, the Lord of the Rings, or your favorite Disney movies helps us raise our vibe, then we should go for it. I think comedies are especially good for the soul.
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4. Compliment someone.
If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know that I love random acts of kindness. However, some of those may take too much energy on a day when you’re really struggling. Just giving someone a genuine compliment is an act of kindness that’s so simple, but it makes us feel good, too. For inspiration, you can check out my list of 101 compliments.
5. Appreciate something out loud.
We can comment to a partner, a coworker, a family member, or a friend that the weather is nice or the herbal tea we’re sipping is delicious. By talking about the good things out loud, we get more parts of our brains involved in gratitude, and gratitude is such a big part of how to be positive and happy. As a bonus, it helps the people around us notice the good things, too.
If you’re down and you’re struggling to think of things to appreciate in your life, check out my list of 101 Reasons to Be Grateful. I bet at least some of them will apply to you.
6. Write some notes.
We have a little chalkboard in the kitchen where I can write an encouraging message to myself. If I do it at night, I probably won’t even remember it until I see it the next morning, and it’ll make me smile. A Post-It on the bathroom mirror can work the same way.
7. Schedule mini-breaks.
Because I deal with workplace stress, here’s something I want to try: setting an alarm for a couple of times every day to take a five-minute break. Maybe I’ll stretch. Maybe I’ll sketch. Maybe I’ll read a little of that uplifting book. (What I won’t do is catch up on the latest Twitter argument or scroll depressing news stories.)
8. Get out in nature.
This doesn’t have to be a mountain trek. It could just mean a few minutes in your backyard. Even if you live in the city, a short walk in a public park, or taking time to watch the sun rise or set, can do a lot for your nerves and your mood. Having contact with nature is healing.
9. Get plenty of rest!
Sleep deprivation is devastating to our mental and physical health, and yet we sometimes act like it’s virtuous to be able to operate on little sleep. (That’s true in the U.S., anyway…maybe other countries are different!) I know I have a much better chance of being in a positive mindset if I’m well-rested. I love my coffee, but it can only do so much!
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I hope you liked some of these ideas for how to be positive! I think just the focus and effort on bringing more positivity into your day can improve the quality of life. It keeps us from getting stuck in a spiral of negative thinking.
If you have more suggestions of your own—and I bet you do—I would love to hear them, so please share them in the comments! In the end, positivity is really a kind of self-care, and it’s something we all deserve.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great week!
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What good advice, Bryn. I’m going to start right now with a compliment to my husband. (Bet he’s surprised. ?)
Awww, that’s great! Thanks for reading!
I loved this post! Yeah, I think a lot of people make the mistake of believing that being positive means you must ignore the difficult portions of life. But that’s not what it’s about at all.
Lydia, yeah, I think positivity gets a bad rap for that reason! Thanks for reading and for the kind words! I hope you have a great week.
Thank you. I have been very down for a while. I got this email today and a similar one from some other source two days ago… someone above must be looking out for me…
Hey friend! I’m sorry things have been so rough…and I’m glad you’re getting some encouragement from above. I hope things get better soon…I’m sure they will!
What I like to do is find a photo of a place that’s on my bucket-list of places I want to go, and make that the desktop background on my computer.
Tom, I love that idea! 🙂
Great timely and practical advice Bryn. I can definitely see myself making a positive playlist and using the note reminder. Thanks!
Awesome, Brooke—I’m so glad you liked the ideas! I hope you have a great week!
This is exactly what I needed to keep smiling through the last four days of hybrid teaching – thank you 🙂
Hang in there, Anna—almost done! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Play with your dog ( when Moxie is up to it) or take her for a walk. A wagging tail never fails to lift my spirits.
Oh, you are so right, Tanya! 🙂 That’s a great thing to do on one of those mini-breaks I was talking about!
This really stood out to me: “It isn’t something you achieve once and for all.” That’s something I have to keep reminding myself.
Times have been tough for me and starting last weekend got even tougher, so I love this post because it hit at just the right time.
The only two cents I have to add are to watch motivating YouTube videos by people who inspire you.
My favorite YouTube video for bad times is Jocko Willink’s “Jocko Podcast” episode entitled “Good.” That video is one that really picks me up when I’m down in the dumps.
Chris, I’m so sorry to hear things have been even tougher. I love your YouTube suggestion—sometimes I binge on funny ones to cheer up, but I love getting the recommendation for an inspiring one, too. I’ll check it out!
I absolutely *LOVED* this list of positive things to do to keep us happy and healthy. Thanks for this post, Brynn. It couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
Tina, I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for reading! And sending good vibes your way.
One of the things I do is to go back to your comments on WIP Wednesday. I have a file for Bryn Donovan in my email program and when I need a lift, I revisit your past comments. Sometimes just mine and sometimes what you say to others as well. It takes just moments, but it makes such a difference. Knowing I was listened to and responded to in a positive way lifts me up. Thank you so much!
Lovely post, Bryn. I have been re-reading Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations again. The quote that has altered my way of thinking this time through is this one:
“To live a good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”
This has helped me to let go of the anger and annoyance of things which I have no control over, or that in the long run, have little impact on my life. Ignoring the insults generated by things that make no difference, is easier said than, done. But as you say, we don’t learn these lessons once. It is a journey.
Thank you for reminding us to be more positive.
Hi Jo! I’ve been meaning to read that forever and I was just thinking about it the other day, so it’s so funny you should mention it! I LOVE that quote. Thank you for sharing!
Hi, Bryn. Thanks so much for this post. Wishing you a great week also.
Hi Savannah! Thanks for reading. 🙂 Hope everything’s going well with you!
Wonderful advice which can really make a difference.
Denise
Aw thanks Denise. Thanks for reading!
I agree. Working to have a more positive mindset is a must. One thing I have been known to do is pick a mantra and write it out every day, usually at the end of my journal time. It helps send me off to sleep feeling better and keeps that thought in my mind for longer.
I love the idea of a daily mantra, Erin! That might be something I put on my chalkboard. 🙂 It’s a great idea.
Thanks, Bryn. I’ll keep your 9 tips, and I’ll add two – look up into the trees and imagine being able to fly, and your wonderful advice to “Write 1000 words a day.” Thank you so much for getting me writing – well, you and Louis L’Amour, whose quote is taped to my computer. He said, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
Hi Sherry! I love your additions. And I quote that Louis L’Amour quote all the time—I think it’s one of the wisest things anyone has ever said about writing. 🙂 Hope you’re having a good week!
Great list, thank you for sharing! It’s certainly something we can all use.
This past week we took a trip to the Smokey Mountains. We had a number of late nights celebrating the 4th of July so we had to wake up our four kids to hike to a waterfall one morning. The weight of their fussing and whining was really weighing on me, but I noticed the hikers who were coming down from the mountain after spending the morning surrounded by nature were all smiles. I started tuning out the fussing and focused on smiling back or complimenting cute t-shirts and it was so energizing. It’s amazing how much eye contact and a genuine smile from a random stranger can turn things around!