A positive life means different things to everyone. When you think of positivity, you are upbeat and see the good even in difficult situations. It means looking for the good in other people. You may struggle with positivity. Perhaps you’re a realist who feels jaded by the world. If that’s the case, here are some ways to increase your positivity. Check out these behaviors that can help you live a more positive life.
What Is a Positive Life?
Having a positive life doesn’t depend upon your wealth, career, or education. Positivity is an attitude of the heart. You choose to be positive. Here is a positive life defined:
- It focuses on solutions instead of a problem
- It means working to improve yourself
- It’s living in the present and not worrying about the future
- It means learning from your mistakes
- It’s noticing good things in others
- It’s not allowing your troubles to define you
- It means seeing life as worth living and doing the best you can
- It’s choosing to be kind and compassionate even with hard-to-love people
- It helps you say “no” when you should
12 Behaviors That Can Help You Live a More Positive Life
1 – Have positive social interactions
When you have positive interactions with people who love and care for you, it boosts your mental health. Healthy relationships and positivity go hand in hand. Having solid friendships affects you physically and mentally. The benefits of positive social interactions include the following:
- You trust people
- You’ll cooperate with others
- You have better self-esteem
- You have more empathy for others
Positive social interactions make you feel happier about your life and give you a sense of belonging. One study found that having positive social contact can offset depression more than a phone call. Find ways to be a part of positive social interactions at
- Church
- Your neighborhood
- Sports team
- Book club
2 – Seek gratitude for a more positive life
Being grateful can help you feel less stressed. It keeps you going when things are difficult because you’re trying to find even a glimmer of good. Thank the people around you at a restaurant, the grocery store, or school. It may surprise you how you can make someone’s day a little better by showing gratitude to them.
3 – Write down your thoughts
It’s helpful to keep a journal to write down your thoughts. Pour out your heart on paper, and you’ll feel better. Maybe write down things that are especially difficult right now, then look to solve these problems.
4 – Laugh about it
An ancient proverb says A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) It seems like the writer of this proverb knew what they were talking about. Studies show that laughter has positive physiological effects for those who engage in it regularly. Laughter lowers anxiety and stress. It causes chemical changes in our body that help increase our pain tolerance and lighten our moods.
There’s a considerable debate about spontaneous laughter versus simulated laughter. Scientists say both types of laughter are just as good. So whether you’re belly laughing about something funny your dog did or chuckling at the funny joke you just heard on the radio, laughter is one behavior to include in your day for a more positive life.
5 – Tell yourself positive things
It’s easy to get burdened by stuff you did or didn’t do. Maybe you feel discouraged because your life hasn’t turned out like you thought it would. It’s easy to beat yourself up about what you should have done. Why not shift your self-talk to something more positive? Focus on solutions to your problems. Tell yourself what’s good about your life. If you’ve made a mistake that you can fix, step out and begin the process of restitution and resolution. Make that phone call or write that email. Today’s a new day, and you can start better time management.
6 – Go for a walk for a positive life
It may sound too simple, but just walking outside can help add positivity to your life. Moving around in the great outdoors improves your mood, decreases stress, and restores your mental fatigue. Exercising in green spaces is like natural medicine. Whether you walk around a park, hike in a nature reserve or enjoy the countryside, you’ll enjoy better health and happiness. Walking or hiking outdoors is a habit to include in your day or week for a more positive life. Other benefits of walking include:
- Improves your memory
- Helps you sleep better
- Boosts your self-confidence
- Decreases your anxiety
7 – Get adequate sleep
Scientists continue to be surprised at the importance of a good night’s sleep. Sleep rests your body and mind, but it clears your brain of toxins, distresses you, and restores your body. Of course, life gets busy with work, kids, and other things. Missing even a few hours of sleep may not seem a big deal. Some scientists estimate that approximately 30% of adults in the United States have sleep deficiency. Lack of sleep connects to chronic disease, social problems, lifestyle, and occupational problems. When your biological cycle of sleep is disrupted, you’re at risk for health problems such as these:
- Heart disease
- Dementia
- Metabolism problems
- Immune problems
- Stress and anxiety
8 – Get a pet
Owning a pet is one way to live a more positive life. Pets give you a lot of joy, a sense of purpose, and lots of love. Petting your dog or cat lowers your blood pressure and lessens your stress. Playing with your pet isn’t just fun. It also causes your brain to release serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals make you feel happier. Your furry friend also forces you to go outside for walks or playtime. A dog is a great way to meet neighbors because everyone wants to pet your buddy. One study found that people experiencing stressful situations recover quickly when they have a pet.
9 – Look for others who lead a positive life
Bad stuff is all around. Just read the news. It’s easy to assume the world is a terrible place. But for your own sake, you need to look for the good. Start in your neighborhood, at work, or your school. Look for the people in your life who make the world a better place–your teachers, pastors, or coaches. Limit the negative influences that affect you, such as
- News
- Social media sites
- Blogs that tear down others
- Toxic people
Focus on what’s good. Complaining about all the bad things happening in the world is easy. Why not be part of the positive things going on in the world? Bring positivity into your life. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or a school. Donate your time and energy to a soup kitchen or an animal shelter.
10 – Maintain your values
When you have a solid foundation of values, you’ll be more focused on those things that give your life purpose. Things like faith in God help you make decisions or solve problems. You feel more confident of a direction and are ready to stand up for what you believe. Family values help you choose to work less and spend more time with your kids. You may not deal with as much stress at work because you’re not out to climb the success ladder. Your values influence your thinking, build your self-confidence, and give you a sense of purposefulness in life.
11 – Get creative
Creative people are problem solvers. When you choose to be creative, you’re finding solutions to problems at home, at school, or at work. Creativity causes you to focus your energy and enthusiasm on something. You feel a sense of purpose. You feel accomplished when you solve a problem or create something. It builds your self-confidence and your sense of adventure to find more solutions. Creativity is a behavior that helps you live a more positive life.
12 – Create a more positive life through music
Start listening to music at home, in the car, or at work. Create a playlist of your best songs and listen to these while you work out or wash the dishes. Music lifts your mood and makes you feel happier. You can sing along or dance to boost your heart and mind even more positivity.
Final Thoughts on Living a Positive Life
A positive lifestyle is a choice. It doesn’t hinge on whether you’re rich, got a great job, or have a big house. Being positive comes from the heart. More often than not, the habits that give you a more positive life are free. Things like gratitude, your values, walking outdoors, or getting enough sleep. You make these choices to have a better life with purpose and meaning. Why not try adding these behaviors to your every day and see if you begin to feel like you have a more positive life?
