We all have those days and periods of time in life when we feel a bit low and lose our mojo! Here are our 5 top tips on how you can lift your spirits & boost your positivity in five minutes.
1. Practice Gratitude
One of the quickest ways to shift your focus from negative to positive is to start to focus on the things in your life you’re grateful for. Every day focus on five unique things that day has brought you that you’re grateful for and write them down. This can be in a journal, in the notes on your phone, or in an exchange with a buddy whose up for the gratitude challenge where you can swap texts, emails or phone call. Research proves that practising gratitude rewires your brain and can change lives as a result.
2. Breathe
Stress, tension and a racing mind can all be flipped instantly with mindful breathing. Here’s how: Stand or sit, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Notice the flow of air in and out of your body, the rise and fall of your chest. It is natural for thoughts to arise (that’s what the mind does) if they pop into your head just return to being aware of your breath and let them pass. Stay with your breathing for as long as you can allowing the stillness to descend. When you are ready open your eyes noticing how good you feel.
3. Smile
It might sound simplistic and too good to be true but research has found that smiling makes you happier. As your facial muscles smile they send signals to the brain that can actually impact your emotions. If you add in an affirmation or positive thought as you do this you make the effect even stronger. You could say ‘I am embracing the happy energy of a smile,’ or use any positive statement that works for you. Wherever you start smiling. As they say ‘smile and the whole world smiles with you.’
4. Meditate
The power of meditation cannot be overlooked! Even just 5 minutes of meditation a day has been shown to improve mood, decrease stress and dramatically improve your physical well being. And it couldn’t be easier these days with all the amazing meditation and mindfulness apps that you can download onto your phone. There are also a host of YouTube videos, social media posts and websites that can show you how. If you begin to meditate or practice mindfulness on a regular basis you will feel more centred, connected calmer and face life’s challenges with greater ease.
5. Challenge your negative thinking
Instead of being caught up in the stories of your mind start to question your thinking. Ask yourself, “Is there another more positive way I could view this?” Replace ‘why’ with ‘what is this teaching me?’ Instead of saying ‘this isn’t fair’ start to focus your energy on acceptance and consider ‘what can I do to start moving forward?’ Hundreds of studies have shown that it is possible to re-wire the brain from negative to positive thinking simply by practice and there’s no doubt that optimism is good for your mind, body and spirit.
Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes we get handed lemons. However, it is your perspective that determines if you tackle that with a sour taste in your mouth, or make lemonade. We hope these suggestions make a difference and as always feel free to email [email protected] us if you would like to discuss this further.
Namaste
Fiona And Gavin
