It's no secret that thoughts and feelings of negativity and self-loathing plague many of us. It can be easy to fall into a cycle of negative thinking, feeling down on ourselves, and not making any progress toward finding joy in life. But it doesn't have to be this way!
In 2023, it is possible to start breaking down the walls of negativity and learn how to think positively when depressed, and embrace self-love. Here are 6 expert-recommended ways that show how to think positively every day.
From recognizing your core beliefs to creating positive affirmations, these strategies will help you break through the barriers of negative thinking to take control of your mental health and well-being. So let's start today on our journey towards a more positive outlook – one step at a time!
Best Tips to Think Positively and Embrace Self-Love
It is necessary to embrace self-love and think positively about yourself to be mentally and physically healthy. This can be difficult as we are often bombarded with negative messages from society that can lead to low self-esteem or even depression.
However, by following these 6 simple steps, one can learn how to think more positively and practice self-love - two essential things for well-being.
1. Let the Past Go
At a certain point, letting go of the past is how we can fully enjoy the present. It's not easy, particularly when depression threatens to rob us of our enjoyment of life. But you can still think positively.
When your mind starts to drift back in time and relive moments that have hurt or upset you, make a conscious effort to focus on how things could be better today.
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Think how much you have learned since then, how much stronger you are emotionally, and how that puts you in control — but also, how would focusing on the now help you create new paths and opportunities?
The past is behind you, and focusing on it won't help you move forward; instead, it will bring stagnation and disappointment.
Letting go of the past will eventually lead to greater contentment - if only we give ourselves enough time to heal and find serenity in the present moment.
2. Remember That You are a Human Being, Not a Human Doing.
Life can be overwhelming sometimes, making us feel like robots just carrying out duties. Yet it is crucial to remember how essential it is that we are human beings, not human doings. One of the best ways to stay positive even when life has you down is to identify how we show up as humans and how our humanity can enrich our lives and help us rise above any challenging situation.
Positive thinking techniques are helpful tools to get us there; examples include acknowledging small successes each day, taking regular breaks, and allowing ourselves time for self-care. By prioritizing our mental wellness and connecting with our purpose in life, we can ensure that being human does not simply mean doing more task-oriented items but that it feels more like living a meaningful life.
Related Article: 9 Steps to Improve Mental Well-Being
3. Stay Connected With Others
The importance of staying connected with others can never be underestimated, especially when dealing with depression. Finding healthy, positive relationships and actively engaging in activities that build connections with friends and family are incredibly helpful in thinking positively when depressed.
There are a few tremendous positive thinking techniques that you can use to help make the best out of a situation. These include reframing negative thoughts into creative solutions, using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), challenging how realistic your worry is, and changing how you react to specific triggers.
It's okay to ask for help when needed; chances are there will be at least one person willing to listen and understand what you're going through.
Staying connected with others doesn't have to be overwhelming or stressful. Instead, it can provide comfort and strength, providing valuable support during difficult times. There are many ways to stay connected and nurture relationships, from planning outings with friends or family members to virtual hangouts over the phone or on video chat.
Exercise is also a great way to stay socially connected while taking care of your physical health – try stretching exercises together, jump ropes for cardio activity, or strength training with kettlebells for muscle tone.
Even simple activities such as playing cards or board games online are great for social connection and an enjoyable way to pass the time. With so many options available, you can find something that appeals to everyone in your circle of family and friends!
4. Stop Trying to Make Everyone Happy
We live in a world where it seems that something is wrong with us if we don't make everyone around us happy. But this kind of thinking is draining and can ultimately lead to unhappiness.
It's much better to focus on being happy yourself and not worry so much about what other people are feeling - because, at the end of the day, we have no control over how someone else thinks or feels.
Instead, take some time to nurture yourself and your self-esteem by engaging in activities that help you think positively and make you feel good as an individual. This way, you won't endlessly pursue the impossible task of always making everyone happy.
5. Be Present in the Moment & Don't Dwell on the Past or Future
Learning to stay in the moment is an invaluable skill for anyone dealing with depression. Turning your attention away from what's happened in the past and what might be waiting around the corner is essential for shifting and refocusing your energy into something productive.
Focusing on the here and now can help keep your thoughts in check, allowing you to think more positively, ultimately leading to feeling better. Setting small achievable goals each day can help, too, even if it's something as simple as 'make my bed' or 'drink a glass of water.' It encourages a sense of accomplishment that allows you to move forward instead of dwelling on how you feel at that moment.
Positive thinking when depressed isn't easy but being aware of how present-mindedness can help get you back on track is a great start.
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6. Start Small By Focusing on One Good Quality You Have or One Thing That Makes You Smile.
Focusing on positive attributes and recognizing our strengths is a great way to practice positive thinking exercises. It can be easy to forget our positive qualities, but reflecting and remembering what makes us smile can help create a positive outlook.
Start small by focusing on one good quality. It would help if you reminded yourself that you could achieve whatever you want. Find something about yourself that you are proud of that can bring a smile to your face, no matter how small - even just recognizing it will help raise your spirits in times of difficulty.
Final Words
Ultimately, it is up to you to break out of the negative thinking cycle and practice self-love. It starts with small steps, and soon these acts of kindness towards yourself will become habitual. You must fill your mind with loving thoughts toward yourself and those around you. Change is possible when we choose love over fear in our decision-making process.
So, make the decision today to think positively more often and be more loving towards yourself. Still not sure how? Step one could be reading about how to think positively when depressed and seeing what speaks to you from there. We may stumble, fall, or even fail miserably along the way, but the key is never giving up, and believing that we can achieve greatness by learning and growing from our daily experiences. Now is your time for an emotional revival; be relentless in your pursuit of positivity!
