How to become optimistic?
According to the research of one of the world’s foremost experts in this field, Professor Robert Kelley of Yale University, the key to becoming optimistic is to change your way of thinking. Here is what he says:
The challenge is to learn to stop thinking negatively. That’s it. To control spending your time, or even your days, with the various litanies of negatives in your head, and to instead choose to think about only the positive things that are already here, and for you, to ‘show up and focus on them. (Sermonette)
Happy thoughts boost your happiness
Studies show that when you think happy thoughts, you feel more positive emotions and are more optimism. Another study finds that when people try to override negative thoughts with happy thoughts, the ability to override negative thoughts increases. Our brains are programmed to be happy. When we actively focus on happy things in our lives, our brains react as if we had a very positive experience that’s occurring in our lives.
The number of hours of video gameplay is not important The number of hours that you play video games is irrelevant because your brain responds to games the same way it responds to the world around you. It doesn’t care how much time you have on your hands, as long as you use it productively.
The best strategy? Play every day
Many studies show that the more you play, the more optimistic you become. Moreover, researchers have found that playing video games for hours on end can help our brains function better.
The same is true of exercise.
Practice mindfulness
It’s a simple concept that’s easy to understand and is often a great starting point for people looking to develop more positive habits in their life. It’s the ability to pause and be mindful of what’s happening around you and your life. Practicing mindfulness has been found to produce more positive emotions. Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to the present moment and what’s happening in our lives, without judgment, and without resisting it.
Try practicing some mindfulness techniques
Answering a phone call while driving. There are many ways to practice mindfulness. Read a book. Go for a walk. Watch television. The goal is to build a habit of being mindful.
Exercise regularly
Research has found that physical activity has a positive effect on your brain’s ability to process information. Exercise has been shown to boost your mood and your level of happiness, and, as a bonus, it can also improve your immunity. Research by the military found that soldiers who exercised and ate healthily produced more positive emotions when faced with a problem.
Hearts are the most potent muscle
We’ve all heard the old saying that “hearts are the most powerful muscle in the body”. Researchers have discovered that the same is true when it comes to motivation and making a change in your life. Heartbeats have been found to boost activity in the brain and trigger positive thoughts and feelings.
How to boost your happiness and well-being
What research has shown
Your happiness is determined by your habits, your thinking, and your attitude. Even small changes can have a big impact. The best way to increase your happiness and well-being is to simply try some of these simple changes. You can start your happiness journey right now.
- Take a 10-minute warm shower.
- Think about something beautiful and peaceful.
- Spend a little extra time with your loved ones.
- Spend a few extra minutes getting to sleep at night.
- Read a book that makes you happy.
- Spend some time in nature.
- List ten things you’re grateful for.
- Throw away the negative thoughts in your head.
- Play a game on your phone.
- Take a few deep breaths.
- Sleep well and get enough sleep.
- Read a book that can help you solve a problem you’re facing in your life.
- Laugh.
- Have a friend call you.
- Take a couple of extra minutes each day.
- Say yes to more fun.
- Write down five things you’re grateful for each day.
If you’re still not feeling a lot of joy or happiness, read The Joy Diet: The Science of Happier Living and see if the book can help you figure out how to put more happiness in your life.
Embrace the power of gratitude
Some people consider gratitude a sign of selfishness, but many studies show that putting your gratitude into words can change your brain. Think about it: it’s impossible to be grateful without giving something in return. There’s a natural human instinct to want to repay someone who helps us out.
Thanksgiving is one of the best times to practice gratitude. Everyone appreciates getting a thank you when they go out of their way to help someone else. Of course, there is also the question of why we express gratitude in the first place. Some have argued that gratitude is an instinctual part of our survival instincts. If you have nothing to feed your family, you’d be grateful to be given some seeds to grow something for the winter. You’d want someone to thank you for sharing your food.
Struggles can be the best teachers
Yes, we all have our struggles. Some of us have physical illnesses or health problems and we often feel hopeless. Some of us are suffering from life events that have led to low self-esteem, such as breakups or the loss of a loved one. Others are facing a financial struggle. Whatever it is that is stopping you from feeling happy and positive, recognize that you are not the first person to go through it and you won’t be the last. As painful as these challenges may be, they are also your greatest teachers.
Your life is a series of lessons.
If you learn from your past experiences, you can learn from your present struggles, and also hopefully avoid some future ones. Don’t be afraid to take the bad with the good.
Practice gratitude.
You can start with just one thing. Take a few deep breaths. Visualize a happy scene. Write down at least one thing that you’re grateful for. Take a second and consider how it could affect your life.
