Positive thinking can bring about a lot of good in your life. Having a positive attitude can benefit both your physical and mental health.

However, certain situations in life make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude. Take steps to make positive thinking more second nature, and you’ll reap the most benefits.

Here are a few tips to help you think positively:

• Focus on the good things – Challenging situations and obstacles are a part of life. When you’re faced with one, focus on the good thing no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem. For example, if someone cancels plans, focus on how it frees up time for you to catch up on a TV show or other activity you enjoy.
• Practice gratitude – Practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and improve self-esteem in very difficult times. Think of people, moments, or things that bring you some kind of comfort or happiness and try to express your gratitude at least once a day. For example, being thankful for your good health and being grateful to yourself for your financial independence.
• Open yourself up to humour – Studies have found that laughter lowers stress, anxiety, and depression. It also improv coping skills, mood, and self-esteem. Be open to humour in all situations, especially the difficult ones, and give yourself permission to laugh. It instantly lightens the mood and make things seem a little less difficult.
• Spend time with positive people – Consider the people with whom you’re spending time. Have you noticed how someone in a bad mood can bring down almost everyone in a room? A positive person has the opposite effect on others. Being around positive people has been shown to improve self-esteem and increase your chances of reaching goals. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and help you see the bright side.
• Practice positive self-talk – Positive self-talk can encourage and motivate a person to keep going, look on the “bright side”, and put things into perspective. Research shows that even a small shift in the way you talk to yourself can influence your ability to regulate your feelings, thoughts, and behaviour under stress. Here’s an example of positive self-talk ; instead of thinking “I really messed that up,” try “I’ll try it again a different way.”

Share the word, save it to remind yourself.