Clarity of mind is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being. It allows us to look at life with a more positive outlook. It allows us to see more possibilities in life even when we are going through a bad time. Our day to day lives come with loads of stress, rejections and hard times. So, it is very important that we clear our minds and get rid of the negatives from time to time to regain our positivity. Positive outlook in life can change the outcomes of our lives and not just the possibilities that present itself to us.
Science Says Positivity Helps
A study was conducted by Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues on the impacts of positive emotions at the University of North Carolina. In this study, volunteers were divided to 5 groups and each group was shown film clips separately to elicit various emotions. Group 1 was shown joyful images. Group 2 was shown images that produce a sense of contentment, group 3 was shown neutral images, and group 4 and 5 were shown images to elicit emotional responses of fear and anger respectively. Then all the groups were given papers with 20 lines that started with I would like to. Most responses came from first three groups whereas least amount of responses came from group 4 and 5.
The researchers concluded in their study that people are more likely to see more possibilities in their lives when they experience positive emotions like joy and hope. This adds to the idea that positive ideas can enhance our sense hope which allows us to see more probable choices and paths in life.
So, it is important that we clean all the clutter from our minds to focus on the good in our lives to bring in more positivity. Five ways to achieve more positivity in life have been listed below.
1. Unsubscribe From The Bad News
Media has boomed in this century and it has allowed our TVs to be flooded with news from all across the globe. It is important to be updated about the recent events, but news channels nowadays believe in selling negativity rather than news. So, try to be more selective about the things you watch. Make an extra effort to catch up on the good stuff to neutralize the effect of the bad that you consume.
2. Change Your Voice Inside
We talk to ourselves the most in a day, so it is important to make a note of how we talk to ourselves. Are you talking yourself down or lifting yourself up? We often give rise to negativity ourselves. We need to stop bullying ourselves to bring more confidence in our lives. We can’t expect others to be nice to us until we are nice to ourselves first. Positive mental reinforcements can bring a huge change in our lives.
3. Write It Out
A great way to get rid of negative emotions is to write them down. It is a tangible way of getting rid of the bad so that it can’t weigh us down anymore. You will feel more organized when you can keep your emotions in check. Also, you can organize your life better if you can keep a count of your to-do things.
4. Spend Time With Your Loved Ones
It is very important that we keep in touch with our social circle as they play a huge role in our mental and physical well being. The connections we form in our personal lives can have a huge positive impact on our personal growth.
5. Live In The Moment
We often worry because we are either living in the past or the future. So, make a mental note to bring yourself back in the moment when that happens. Living in the moment is the best way of being content and happy.
So, clear your head and allow positivity to seep into your life. This will change your outlook towards people, life and yourself. Positive emotions can allow us to see more than what we are willing to see.
