It’s easy to say the glass is half full, but really believing it is the basis of positive psychology. This discipline of psychology studies the way people think, feel, and act – and focuses on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative. The benefits of positive psychology are endless, affecting both our mental and physical health. Positive psychology is also an important part of creating a healthy lifestyle, and losing weight for good. A healthy body starts with a healthy mindset. Studies have shown that people who incorporate positive psychology practices into their lives are happier and more successful. Here are three easy ways to incorporate positive psychology to help you achieve your wellness goals.
1. Positivity Wellness Journal
Setbacks are inevitable on health journeys, and it’s easy to focus on the negative. By keeping a positivity journal, you can focus on what you did well and the things you’re proud of. Thoughts become words, and words become actions, so focusing on the positive can really help build your momentum. If you change your habits to think about the balanced meal you ate for breakfast, or the extra steps you got in by taking the stairs, this will lead to other healthy choices.
2. Practice Gratitude
Too often we prioritize what we want to change about ourselves and focus on where we’re falling short. Although personal grow is important, it is also necessary to be appreciative of where we’re currently at and how far we’ve come. Our bodies are amazing. If you woke up this morning and can move, you should take a moment to thank your body for all that it can do. Recognize when you’re being hard on yourself, and try to replace that thought with gratitude.
3. Do What Makes You Happy
A huge part of positive psychology is finding things in your life that are strengths instead of weaknesses. If you are actively trying to lose weight, it’s important to make sure that you are making choices that bring you happiness. It’s difficult to find the positive in something if you don’t enjoy it. If running doesn’t make you happy, then find something else (cycling, yoga, kung fu, whatever). Take a minute and think about the choices you make on a daily basis. Do you really enjoy the food you’re eating? Is there another exercise that is more enjoyable than the one you’re currently doing? Reassess your routine and make sure your spending your day doing things that make you happy.
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