Exactly How Full is Your Glass?
Picture a big glass goblet filled to the halfway mark with water. How do you see it—half-full or half-empty? Consistently finding the glass half-empty—and the world as a difficult place— is a hallmark of negativity. Research has found that a negative outlook can contribute to depression to heart disease, to lowered immune system function. It can affect sleep, weight maintenance, the quality of your relationships, social life, and even your ability to hold a job.
Now imagine what it would feel like to approach life from a place of positivity, fun, connection, health, and possibility. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Start with these simple actions to make a positive change today.
Meditate. I have heard time and time again from people I can’t meditate. Meditation does not have to look a certain way. It does not have to last a certain length of time. Sitting for one minute without distraction connecting to your breath. Walking in nature. (Have you heard me say this in the past?)
Journal. Writing it out, getting your feelings on paper. Dump all that negativity onto a piece of paper. Setting aside 5 or 10 minutes at the beginning of the day can be a great way to let things out.
Listen to music. This, too, can be a form of mediation. Uplifting music can inspire, motivate and lift our mood in moments
Go complaint-free. Try going an hour without complaining and see the positive things in your life. Next, try a day, a week, and so on. It seems so much of the news is negative, from our political climate, the constant announcements of Covid related cases and deaths to bad weather. We are immersed in the negative from our media. Take a break, try going just 24 hours without the news in any form. It truly does wonders for our mood.
Keep a gratitude journal. Each evening, list ten or more things that you are grateful for.
Give compliments freely. Notice the good in others. Praise every person you interact with.
Find beauty everywhere in your world. Notice its gorgeousness
Share your good news. Studies show that sharing happy events brings even more happiness.
Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.
Protect your gut health. Studies show that the gut is our second brain, and imbalances in the gut microbiome can cause emotional imbalance. Also, nutrient deficiency, such as low vitamin D, and B vitamins, can cause an imbalance that affects our emotional stability.
Maintaining a positive outlook takes practice, and the more you do it, the easier it gets. The payoff—a happier, healthier life—is absolutely worth the effort.
Great health starts with what you put in, on and around your body. Let’s talk! Set up a 30-minute strategy session to learn how you can live your healthiest most vibrant life.