Positive thinking can do wonders!
Positive thinking refers to the practice of focusing on the positive aspects of any situation. It can make a big difference to your physical and mental health. You expect the good and the bad in life to go well when you approach them.
The New York Times reported recently that the most popular course at Yale University is Psychology and the Good Life. There are 1,182 enrolled students in the course. Typically, Yale lectures attract about half as many students. The fact that so many students are interested in taking a positive psychology course, despite being majoring in different disciplines, speaks volumes about the myriad of pressures students face daily.
Yes, we do live in highly-charged times. An article published in a website states that 70 million Indians suffer from mental health ailments. Young people are particularly vulnerable as the strains and stresses on them have only multiplied over the years. Despite living in a more connected age, students often feel lonely, misunderstood and isolated. With parents also anxious about their admissions and career prospects, young people often don’t know who to turn to when they feel overwhelmed. In addition to the burden of ever-increasing academic expectations, youngsters also have to navigate a tricky social terrain, both real and virtual. Moreover, young people are ridden with angst by the unpredictability of tomorrow’s workplace.
However, do not despair. It is not over yet. In his book, The Happiness Advantage, author and positive psychology advocate Shawn Achor gives you concrete tips and strategies to help you navigate life more smoothly without getting bogged down by negativity. Many people believe that our happiness is determined by our circumstances in life. When things go well, we smile. When they don’t, we frown. This is true, but only in part. It has been proven through positive psychology research that we can raise our happiness levels regardless of our circumstances by adopting simple but empirically proven strategies.
And guess what? As our happiness levels rise, so does our chance for encountering success. And, this only fuels our happiness further, resulting in more positivity. In fact, Achor exhorts us to think of happiness as “not just a mood” but a “work ethic.” So, how do you go about sporting a sunnier disposition? Achor suggests the following activities as they are known to boost people’s moods:
How to think positive thoughts
Meditation: Far-fetched though it may sound, innumerable studies point to the immense benefits of meditation. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing for five minutes a day.
Do somthing good: You may also do something kind everyday. It could be as simple as slowing down your bike so an old man can cross the road.
Exercise: Exercise at least three times a week for 45 minutes. Working out has been found to alleviate even the symptoms of depression.
Make memories: Instead of spending money on things, invest in memorable experiences. Take a friend out to lunch, go bowling or watch a play.
Engaged yourself: in a hobby where you can exercise your ‘signature strengths’, be it painting or miming.
Utilize setbacks as a learning opportunity
As a next step, you can adopt what Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck calls a growth mindset, in which you accept that you have mutable talents, skills, abilities, and even your happiness levels in general. Practice and effort can make you surprised at how much you can actually accomplish.
It is also helpful to look for the positives in a situation, no matter how dire, rather than simply concentrate on the negatives. If you want to cultivate a sunny side-up attitude, write down at least three good things that happen to you every day, no matter how miserable your day has been. You may start noticing more perks of what appears to be a bleak situation after a few weeks.
Achor narrates the story of two shoes salesmen who were dispatched to Africa to study the market. One salesman described the situation as “hopeless” as no one wore shoes there. The other responded that it was a “glorious opportunity” as people didn’t have any shoes as yet. Similarly, over time, you may start reframing events in such a way that setbacks transform into opportunities. He also urges us to invest in social relationships so that we maintain strong ties with family and friends.
That means meeting people face-to-face rather than simply exchanging likes on social media. In fact, people with strong social networks are less likely to feel threatened by negative events than those with weak social networks.
Remember that your happiness is key to a successful life, even if you’re focusing on upcoming exams or job interviews. You should also ensure that you invest time and effort in being contented and optimistic, just as you do in pursuing academic and professional goals.
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