Positive thinking sometimes gets a bad rap. That’s because negativity is often equated with being powerful and decisive. Positivity, on the other hand, can be (wrongly) viewed as puny, pleading, and even ill-considered. Consider, however, that over time, unchecked negative feelings such as anger and hostility, can result in health-damaging consequences. Dr. Dean Ornish in his book, Love and Survival, notes, “Hostility has emerged as one of the most important variables in heart disease. The effects of hostility are equal to or greater in magnitude to the traditional risk factors for heart disease: elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and so on.”

It’s all in the balance.  We aren’t trying to deny, ignore or suppress negative emotions. We need to listen and learn from both negative and positive emotions because they are the messengers of our perceptions. However, proactively encouraging positivity in our daily lives reminds us we can be architects of our attitudes.  Here are some tips to incorporate more positivity into your day:

  1. During the day, be mindful of what is going well. This might be a satisfying completion of a project, a kind gesture from a co-worker, or an unexpected compliment.
  2. Take care of yourself. Enjoy a full body stretch every hour. Slip on tennis shoes and take a brisk walk with a coworker on your lunch hour. Keep hydrated during the day.
  3. Contact and connect with the important people in your life. Call, text, email, send a love letter or a shared photo of a happy memory. Laugh, dance, share a meal, sit together, hold hands.
  4. Make an ongoing list of what is NOT broken. Keep a gratitude journal.