Positive Emotions
It is January and for many the month is plagued with stress and anxiety. The holidays are over and we are left to fall back in place with our everyday routines. Days are shorter and nights are longer and this leads some people to become distracted, detached, depressed, and many over connected to social media to fill a void. Research shows that there can be social and emotional benefits to applying positive psychology in your life. Positive psychology concepts take many forms that you can apply to your life.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is not a “hippy thing” from the 1960s. It is a way to start your day by setting the right tone for your daily agenda. Some people start their day with 1 to 5 minutes of meditation, others use a specific song that inspires and centers them. Another idea is concentrating on a vision board or goal board and seeing these things as something you already have.
Positive Emotions
Positive emotions include feelings of joy, pride, love, happiness, acceptance, confidence, passion, humor and more. Positive emotions are good for you and good for your body. Having both negative and positive emotions is natural for all of us, but you can work to balance yourself with more positive emotions.
Strengths
Concentrate on the strengths you have and eliminate your criticism of yourself and others. Give honest positive comments to people about what is good. For everything that is negative, come back with three positive things to balance out the negative. And be sure and do this with yourself. Don’t concentrate on everything you need to fix. Be proud of the things that are your strengths.
Gratitude
Increasing the practice of gratitude could aid in eliminating negativity and increase positive emotions. Before you go to bed take the time to keep a journal that lists three things you are thankful for each day. Another great thing is to give a ‘shout out’ on social media or just a text or call to a friend, coworker, or family member that has done something to help you! You will make their day!
Positive psychology concepts help increase positive emotions which can lessen the negative emotions and can help decrease anxiety. Positive emotions can open you up to more possibilities of being happier and healthier!
