How to Train our Mind to Focus on the Positive
The power of the mind cannot be underestimated. The human mind contains billions of nerve cells which coordinate our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, movements and sensations. However, there are times when our mind becomes compromised leading unproductive outcomes which makes life unbearable at times.
Here are 8 effective ways of training our mind to focus on positivity.
1. Engage in a positive self-talk: The mind is the most important compartment of the human existence and therefore needs to be always refreshed to improve its functionality. For the mind to be able to focus on positivity, it is important to frequently engage in a positive self-talk. For example, a person who feels worthless because of a circumstance can use the positive self-talk approach by repeatedly saying positive things in their minds to counter the negative thoughts. This will to a great extent shake off the negative thoughts that comes to mind intermittently.
2. Shut down your imaginations anytime your mind becomes corrupt: There are times when you feel down hearted with many negative thoughts running through your mind. This may lead to loss of self-worth characterized by depression. Trying to shut down negative imaginations will do us a lot of good. This takes a lot of self-consciousness and awareness.
3. Name it: Make a list of the things that puts too much pressure on your mind and work on how to overcome them one after another at a good pace. This will regulate and relax the mind.
4. Get a hobby: Engaging in a hobby, which brings you joy, reduces the negative thoughts that comes to mind when idle. Getting a hobby exercises the mind which process a hormone called endorphins which interacts with the receptors in your brain and improves positive thinking.
5. Get a confidant: At certain points in time, get a trusted person you can share your ordeals and experiences with to ease the tension within you. Doing this sometimes with a trusted person releases a great deal of stress and refreshes the mind and enhances positive thinking.
6. Show much love and kindness to other people: Have you ever tried showing love and kindness to others even when you are emotionally or psychologically broken? The experience is quite different and refreshing when you show kindness to others despite the challenges you are going through and not venting your wrath. Practice this approach and see if it works for you as well.
7. Be honest to yourself and learn to work at developing a sense of ease around new people: Sometimes our mood and thought (both positive and negative) is informed by others around us. It is therefore important to be honest to yourself and work on developing good interpersonal relationships with people you encounter.
8. Always practice gratitude: It is impossible to be negative and grateful at the same time. Practicing gratitude, making a list of all the things you are grateful for on a regular basis, will force your mind to focus on all your blessings. There might be more than you imagined.
These are some powerful ways to train your mind to focus on the positive already present in your life, to learn to embrace, process and let go of what is overwhelming you and to become a force of positivity and resilience for those around you.
We are all faced with bigger and minor storms in our lives, it is up to us to develop ourselves to learn to navigate through the storms of life with grace, ease and excellence. Every difficulty that you are facing now might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
It is my experience that the most valuable lessons in life are learnt while going through the darkest moments; apparently dark times open us up to deeper insights and give us a larger perspective on life and our purpose. Every experience in life can serve as a tool for growth, expansion and a stronger mind.
In making this mind shift, you help yourself to go through life with more fulfilment and ease.
