How to Harness the Power of Positive Thinking and Optimism For a Happier Life

Gary Mike Adams
2 min readSep 28, 2021

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Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

Positive thinking and optimism are something that we all have the power to do. Even if we feel like we don’t have any of it, there are ways to start feeling better.

Some people use positive affirmations or gratitude journals to help them get in a good place, and these work well for many people. But if you’re not having any luck with either of these, try some other techniques such as meditation or yoga.

Positive Affirmations

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “The basic idea behind positive affirmations is that you can change your negative thoughts to positive ones, and in doing so, you can change your life.”

Positive affirmations are often used by people who are struggling with self-esteem issues. Some people find it hard to believe in themselves because of low self-esteem. Positive affirmations help them start believing in themselves again.

Some people have negative thoughts about themselves all the time. Positive affirmations help them get back into a positive mindset and start enjoying life again. The APA says that “positive thinking is proven to improve physical health, mental health, relationships, work performance, and personal happiness.”

Gratitude Journals

A gratitude journal is a journal in which one records things for which one is grateful.

People who keep a gratitude journal report more happiness and less stress. Some people use the act of writing to express their emotions, while others find that speaking or singing about something makes them feel better.

Some people think of gratitude journals as more than just a creative outlet. They believe that the act of reflecting on what one is thankful for can help create new opportunities in life.

Meditation

Meditation is a state of mental and physical relaxation. It can be done by sitting down, listening to music, and following the breath.

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries and people have used it to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

There are many different types of meditation some examples are:

  • transcendental meditation (TM)
  • mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
  • loving-kindness meditation (LKM)
  • compassion-focused therapy (CFT).

Yoga

Yoga is a form of physical, mental, and spiritual exercise consisting of postures or positions that are held for an extended period of time. It can involve some breathing exercises but does not require them. Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the world.

Yoga can be performed at any age, at any level on the physical fitness spectrum, and with any body type. And it’s not just for people who want to lose weight or improve their health — it’s for anyone who wants to feel better in their body or mind. Yoga is good for reducing stress and anxiety as well as increasing flexibility and strength.

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Gary Mike Adams

I am an eclectic writer with many interests and topics that go through my head daily. I am extremely passionate about my craft and always want to push further.