Optimism. As elusive as diamonds in South Africa, the four-syllable word “optimism” can be even more elusive at times. It’s possible, whether you choose to believe it or not, to mine the land around you for a treasure trove of positive emotions. To do so, here are a few ways.
1. Laugh
It’s not hard to find humor these days. There’s no shortage of memes on social media, videos on YouTube, humorous podcasts and more to keep you entertained. You can also watch a comedy film, attend a stand-up comedy show, or spend time with people who make you laugh. A smile is contagious, and a laugh is contagious as well. Consequently, we arrive to our following point:
2. Flip The Frown Around
Study after study has shown that smiling can have a big impact on your mood, even though you might think it doesn’t make sense. Practice smiling at yourself in the mirror, even if it makes you feel corny, foolish, and fake. As silly as this sounds, see how long you can keep a smile on your face. During the day, make a point to smile more and start the day with a positive attitude in mind.
3. Use Positive Words
According to studies, words can have a big impact on the world around us. This is actually in line with long-held beliefs in spiritual traditions. If you want to create a more upbeat atmosphere, use words that are more upbeat. Stop talking about yourself or other people in a negative way.
4. Find People Who Have A Positive Attitude About Life
In the long run, the people we spend time with have a huge impact on our lives. Don’t spend time with people who bring you down by whining and complaining about everyone and everything. According to the old saying “misery loves company,” if you spend time with people like this, your mood will quickly go downhill. When you surround yourself with people who are upbeat, positive, and happy, you’ll be inspired to do the same.
5. Take Care Of Your Health.
It’s easy to get irritated and pessimistic when you’re exhausted and sick. Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle will help you feel more energized and stronger. Being cheerful and positive is easier when you’re feeling good both inside and out.
6. Develop Your Spiritual and/or Self-Actualization Abilities
The majority of spiritual traditions encourage people to have an optimistic view on life. If you are not a believer in organized religion, look for something that can provide you with a positive outlet, such as exercise, music, art, meditation or reading, for example. Just as using positive words can help us change our perspective and attitude, surrounding ourselves with positive activities will make it a little easier to be optimistic.