Have you ever noticed how many self help books there are on the market? There are isles and isles of books that guarantee to help you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. Studies have been done on the power of positive thinking and the health benefits you gain by thinking that way.
Positive thinking reduces stress, helps people live longer and in general, improves a person’s well being. The world does not allow for positive thinking. Just think. A plunging economy, unemployment, lack of insurance, inability to take care of one’s family, foreclosures – just to name a few.
How does one replace negative thoughts with positive ones?
Avoiding negativity is an issue for your life. There are five tips that will help you to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones…
• The most important one is to admit you are a negative person. If you don’t recognize you’re a negative person, how will you be able to learn positive thoughts?
• The next step is to force yourself to be positive. Change the way you think. That will take effort because you will need to become conscious of your daily thoughts. When negative thoughts creep in, you need to quickly turn them into positive thoughts. Example: “I don’t think I can do this.” Switch that mindset to…”I know I can do this; I have the skills.” Think of the emotions these two thoughts created. How was your body stance? Downhearted or did you lift yourself up?
• You are your environment. If it is negative, you will become negative. But if it is positive and upbuilding, you come positive. If you associate with friends who constantly tear you down, your negative thoughts will be just that – negative. You need positive people who care about you and your well being.
• What we listen to has a bearing on our thoughts. The news is full of negativity which produces negative thoughts. Become more selective in your television viewing. Watch shows that make you laugh and are happy shows. There is happy news. You just have to search harder for it.
• Learn to meditate by clearing your mind and lowering your stress. Stay focused; stay positive. Take 15 minutes each day to meditate and you will be able to handle stress much better.
Allow yourself to be immersed in positive thinking by replacing negative thoughts with a feel good image of yourself. When you do this, others cannot help but develop positive thoughts about you and about themselves.
