10 Tips On How To Think Positively

Have you ever stopped for a moment and noticed the “quality” of your thoughts? Ayurveda recognises the power of positive thinking. It says that your thoughts have a tangible impact on your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. So today, we’ll share with you 10 tips on how to think positively.

Why Should I Think Positively?

Studies link positive thinking to:

• Increased ability to cope with stress
• Higher capacity to achieve goals
• Healthier relationships
• A calmer state of mind
• A stronger immune system
• Lower chances of developing physical illnesses
• Lower susceptibility to mental disorders

How To Think Positively?

On the Mental Level…

1. Accept the Situation.

At first, it is rather easy to feel discouraged and upset by your thought patterns and situation. This leads to more negative thoughts and can turn into a vicious cycle. The only way to break the cycle is to practice acceptance. By accepting the situation, you can give yourself the opportunity to take a neutral standpoint, rather than a negative one. Then, you are in a good frame of mind to start making positive changes in your life.

2. Observe Yourself.

This is the first step towards bringing yourself out of the pattern. Watching yourself lets you take a step back from the activity of thinking. By doing so, you can “catch” yourself going in a negative direction. Importantly, don’t judge yourself for thinking negatively – simply observe.

3. Replace Negative with Positive.

As soon as you find yourself thinking negatively, substitute the negative thought with a postive one. If you say to yourself, “I am yet to finish 50% of today’s work”, look at the positive side and say, “I have succeeded in finishing half of the work already!”

4. Reinforce Positive Patterns.

Reinforce positive thoughts and ideas everyday. Affirm that you will succeed in the day’s goals and bring positivity into your relationships. You can do this when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Practice gratefulness, and your mind will soon be able to focus on the abundance in your life.

5. Don’t Criticise Yourself.

Start to let go of self-criticism – it always does more harm than good. Now, this does not mean ignoring your shortcomings. But it means to recognise them, and then act towards improving them from a positive space.

On the Behavioural Level…

1. Give Yourself Time.

Changing your mind patterns takes a while, and it’s not easy. Allow yourself chances to make errors and learn from them. Just like you would be patient with a young child, be tolerant with yourself. You are sure to succeed, sooner or later!

2. Forgive and Reward Yourself.

It’s time to move on from “punish and reward”, and to adopt the practice of “forgive and reward”. The more you forgive yourself for falling back into the negative patterns, the less often will you make mistakes. Reward yourself for small achievements, and it will make it easier to develop an attitude of kindness to yourself.

3. Distance Yourself from Negative People.

Negative people are a great hindrance for positive thinking. They tend to over-focus on your faults, and discourage you from reaching your goals. It is important to recognise such behaviour and prevent yourself from getting affected by it. On the other hand, observe optimistic people and you can learn how to think positively from them.

4. Live in a Positive Environment.

We are naturally affected by our surroundings. In a positive environment, you will automatically find yourself thinking in a more positive manner. Natural, bright and calming surroundings will give you that extra support to purify your thoughts.

5. Practice Yoga and Meditation.

Yoga and meditation are time-tested methods for improving your state of mind. Dedicate an hour each day to the practice, and your body and mind will undergo less stress. In the long run, this will make it much easier to have a more positive mind as well as life. An absolute must-try method.

Final Thoughts

One of the most essential things you can learn in life is how to think positively. Feel free to print these tips and stick them on your bedroom wall or workdesk. Follow them for just a month, and we’re sure that you will feel the difference – even the smallest of change goes a long way. The most important step is the first. Happy thinking, happy living!