To be a positive person..Learn how to live a happier life.

Since the beginning of the new year, the atmosphere is looking a little gloomy, with the struggle to eradicate the epidemic and the lack of daylight hours and sunlight.

The wave of the new mutant omicron and the endless gray winter clouds generated a bleak combination, but it's not the best we can start 2022 with.

Writing in the British newspaper The Independent, author Laura Hampson said there was still time to change this bleak situation and find happiness in the coming months.

All you need to do is let go of the dark thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

"fun coach"

The author quoted Sophie Cliff, nicknamed "The Fun Coach," that "Decades of research in the field of positive psychology has shown that having a positive mindset can enhance our physical health, protect us from burnout, increase our chances of success at work, and possibly extend our lives."

Cliff decided to return to training in Positive Psychology 3 years ago, after working for a decade in sales and marketing with companies such as Walt Disney and Hallmark Cards and now as a "fun coach." Helping people learn how to live a happier life.

Seeing things from an optimistic perspective helps you realize the benefits of positive thinking (Getty Images)

Crisis recovery

“I strongly believe that things can get better, perhaps even more urgent given our current climate, as having a positive mindset has been shown to develop resilience and the 'ability to recover from crises,' which enables us to better deal with stress and surprises,” Cliff says. life".

What does it mean to be a positive person?

Cliff explains that optimism and pessimism are not fixed personality traits because “we all have the ability to become more optimistic if we want to. One of the exercises I like to do with trainees is to ask them to view a situation from a pessimistic and optimistic perspective, and think about what makes them or them feel better. More positive outcomes. Seeing things from an optimistic perspective often helps them see the benefits of positive thinking."

Do you have a fun mindset?

The writer mentioned that the most optimistic people can work miracles for their mental and physical health.

A research paper published in Psychological Bulletin in 2005 that examined several studies of more than 275,000 people showed that people with a playful mindset were less likely to smoke, abuse drugs or eat an unhealthy diet.

A separate study by King's College London - published in 2016 - found that positive thinking - particularly visualization and optimistic self-talk - can reduce intrusive negative thoughts and relieve feelings of anxiety.

Writing an "achievement list" at the end of the week can help gain a more positive mindset and build confidence (Getty Images)

How do we change the pessimistic mentality to an optimist?

The writer reported that most people have felt as if many things have spiraled out of control since the epidemic reached the UK nearly two years ago.

For this reason, Cliff advises that we focus on what we can control.

Cliff says, "The past few years have shown us that a lot of things are not deterministic, making us feel overwhelmed or pessimistic. But focusing on what we can control and making the most of what life offers us gives us some sense of independence... Like learning new recipes or simply making a space Working from home is as comfortable as possible.

Cliff offers another piece of advice to her clients which is to give themselves some gratitude for everything they do and achieve despite all circumstances.

"I always encourage my clients to write an 'Achievement List' at the end of the week," she says. "It may sound simple, but taking 5 minutes to write down everything we've achieved can help us develop a more positive mindset and build confidence."

And since the epidemic is our big collective problem, it is easy for some negative thoughts to creep into our minds over the days, which only hinders our optimistic mentality.

To combat this, Cliff suggests adopting "cognitive reframing," a technique often used in cognitive behavioral therapy.

“The idea is to reimagine an unpleasant situation or experience in a more positive light. That is, instead of saying 'I have to work from home', you can turn it into 'I have been able to work from home.' This makes the possibility more attractive."

The happiest people are those who are most grateful for what they have accomplished, even if it is a 10-minute walk (Shutterstock)

What habits that help happiness and maintain positive thinking?

Seeing negative news is a habit that many of us grudgingly subscribe to during a pandemic, so it's best to be aware of the content and news we're following.

Instead of using the phone for hours or researching what to watch on Netflix, Cliff suggests listening to cheerful podcasts, reading books with happy endings, and practicing gratitude.

“Perhaps the most effective habit building for positive prospects is practicing gratitude regularly,” explains Cliff. “Research has shown that the happiest people are the most grateful for what they have accomplished. You can make a list every evening of the things you are grateful for that day, or practice directing A heartfelt thank you to someone who helped you. Even just taking a few seconds to appreciate the moment you are living in can make all the difference."

If you're feeling down and want your happiness back, Cliff's best advice is to identify what makes you happy and what makes you sad.

“It may seem simple, but, according to Cliff, we are often so busy that we don't actually know what makes us happier, or we ignore the things that indicate something is wrong. Noting and focusing on what makes us happy helps build confidence in our intuition and bring more joy to our lives."

Cliff recommends that everyone challenge themselves to achieve one thing that makes them happy every day for a week, such as a 10-minute walk in the sun or eating their favorite chocolate.