Making healthy choices through positive thinking.

Author: Ivelisse Ginorio. Master's Student in Clinical Social Work, Orlando Online Campus

You have had to face situations in which your decisions have not been the best or you have seen how your relatives have failed because of bad decisions. Decision-making is of paramount importance in the life of human beings. Making good decisions is one of the most important and complicated learnings for anyone. That's because any situation you've had to choose can have big repercussions down the road, even if you don't remember it or see it as unimportant. Beyond the circumstances, the eventuality we may have, as individuals are the result of our decisions. In this way, we trace our silk trees, our benevolence, and that capacity for learning through our mistakes.

How can our decisions define who we are? Human enjoys talents, skills, and competencies that characterize them that makes them unique. In turn, we can determine the choice at a complicated time. Some people have decided to prioritize in difficult times through positive thinking. That is, every minute of our lives is defined by the decisions we determine to make consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes we feel frustrated n because of the emotional "bombardment" that our mind executes. Being full of negative thoughts that lodge in our subconscious and do not allow us to make correct decisions. It can change our personal and interpersonal relationships, our careers, and even our lives completely. Unfortunately, no manual tells us the correct answers.

So how can we change our thoughts and make healthy choices? Through positive thinking, we can change our perceptions and negative perspectives and face fears that limit us and make us weak to make decisions. When we have an optimistic view of life, we not only feel better about ourselves, but we are also more likely to feel motivated to do things that will benefit us. (Sabater, 2020)

TECHNIQUES TO THINK POSITIVE

How to achieve positive thoughts not simply by wanting to do so you should try to think with greater optimism. Through certain techniques, you will help improve methods to develop habits and see things from a positive and optimal perspective. By the time you start using positive habits, you are already internalizing your way of thinking (Fernandez, 2021).

Express gratitude

Developing habits in which you can express gratitude involves being grateful for everything you have. Through the practice of gratitude, negative thoughts are eliminated almost automatically. In addition, gratitude is a feeling that is closely related to love, a feeling that also contributes to eliminating negative emotions. A simple way to start expressing if you are not yet clear is through gratitude for having the opportunity to have one more day.

Practicing generosity

Occasionally, the origin of negative thoughts lies in the habit of focusing only on the negative circumstances that are going through. By practicing generosity, it is possible to stop seeing the bad things and focus directly on the good ones and thus have positive thoughts. In addition, when we are generous with other people, we will feel useful and love something

that will contribute positively to our self-esteem.

Regulates breathing

When you control your breath, you are using this technique not only to stay calm but also to help you eliminate that negativism and open the door to positive thinking. When your breathing calms down, you will automatically begin to feel calm and at peace.

Visualize yourself feeling positive emotions.

Begin to exert the power of visualizing yourself using not only positive thoughts but also to feel motivated to achieve the goals you set for yourself. You must close your eyes and visualize yourself in some positive event of the past. It is necessary to try to imagine the event most powerfully, trying to remember all the sensations that were felt at the time, not only the positive emotions but also the physical sensations.

You should take all the time you need until you feel how those positive emotions of the past invade you in the present. When you feel enough is enough, you can reopen your eyes and positive emotions should continue to accompany you.

Perform meditation

One of the oldest techniques for achieving inner peace and having positive thoughts is meditation. This technique allows you to completely relax the body and obtain healthy mental clarity. In addition, it is one of the most effective techniques to eliminate negative emotions. To meditate it is necessary to place yourself in a comfortable position in a quiet place. Afterward, they should close their eyes and regulate their breathing until they feel relaxed. You should try to feel how the negative emotions gradually disappear as the breathing becomes deeper and the feeling of relaxation more evident.

Each of the techniques for improving a life must be taken into consideration. It is necessary to establish satisfaction when practicing positive thinking, this will help you maintain a healthy self-esteem and your decisions will be more effective. What benefits you can have by thinking positively, then I will let you know how you will benefit:

1. Improved concentration

Positive thoughts help you focus on finding a solution instead of focusing on the negative elements and wasting what is sometimes valuable time. Their creative and constructive thinking increases. While a person with a negative attitude will be so distracted that he will not even be able to look for a solution.

2. Stress reduction

When a person with a positive mind is faced with a stressful situation, he handles it better for the same reason mentioned above, it improves his focus. When you worry less, you get less stressed. The power of positive thinking reduces stress levels, helps you cope better, and increases your lifespan.

3. Better health

The way you think has a direct influence on your body and its functions. People who think positively tend to have a lower risk of illness and greater psychological and physical well-being. If you conquer negative thoughts, you will be less likely to suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders, etc.

4. Maintain self-esteem

When you take an optimistic outlook, you tend to believe in yourself and your abilities. You feel comfortable in your skin and have faith in your potential. This gives you the motivation to achieve your goals.

5. Success and happiness

Positive thinking has the power to change your whole life and your entire environment. When you have a positive attitude, you attract others and, therefore, change the people around you. A positive attitude results in success and happiness. Optimistic people choose to be happy and are determined when it comes to their efforts.

I share this small video that teaches you how to reinforce your thoughts. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA1hz2IzltE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA1hz2IzltE

References

Fernández, M. (2021). Having positive thoughts. Catalonia: Awen | Psychologists in El Prat. Child psychology, adolescents and couple. Psychological Therapy; Retrieve from: https://awenpsicologia.com/tener-pensamientos-positivos/.

Sabater, V. (2020). Our decisions define who we are. Salamanca, Spain: The Mind is Wonderful Journal about psychology, philosophy, and reflections on life. La Mente es Maravillosa - Revista sobre psicología, filosofía y reflexiones sobre la vida.