Mindfulness

How Practicing Mindfulness is Linked to Optimism and Positive Thinking | By Mia Barnes

Last Updated: January 8, 2023By

Mindfulness is a tool you can use to increase optimism and positive thinking. Staying in the present moment can help your mind stay positive before going down a rabbit hole of outcomes. There are many significant benefits, like learning to attend to your mind in body moment by moment. Here is how practicing mindfulness is linked to optimism and positive thinking.

Linking Optimism and Positive Thinking 

There are close ties between mindfulness and increased positivity, more satisfying relationships and optimism. When you observe things through the lens of mindfulness, you begin to appreciate things in a new way because your perception changes. These are some ways it can change your outlook on life.

1. Helps Reduce Stress

A part of your brain triggers when you feel stressed. Anxious thoughts may start racing through your brain about past or future events, but mindfulness can increase your stress threshold.

Focus on your breath or smile to reduce your heart rate and calm you down. Practicing mindfulness can change how you react to stressful situations and improve your mental well-being.

2. Recover Quicker from Setbacks

When change occurs, people are programmed to think negatively. With only a small mindfulness practices, your brain can become more optimistic about setbacks and improve your decision-making ability.

When optimism and mindfulness are both high in a situation, task engagement is heightened. You will be able to become better prepared for future issues and handle them better than usual.

3. Raise Happiness Set-Point

The left side of your brain is responsible for happiness throughout daily activities, while the right is active in a depressed and anxious mood. Through sustainable wellness practices and simple mindfulness techniques each week, you can increase your left and right side activation, which can raise your overall happiness and maintain it. Sustaining happiness throughout the day is crucial since you can go through highs and lows in one day.

4. Promotes Healthy Wellbeing

Openness, self-acceptance and reflection are core values of practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness correlates with positive effects along with more satisfaction in life. It helps you self-regulate and allows you to focus on positives instead of stressors and anxiety.

How to Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness focuses on being intensely aware of your senses and feelings in the present moment. Accepting all feelings and sensations without judgment is key to your mindfulness practice. 

The ways you can practice mindfulness in everyday life look like this: 

  • Living in the moment: Intentionally be open to anything and everything you do. Find joy in everyday life.
  • Accepting yourself: Treat yourself the same way you would treat someone you love and respect.
  • Paying attention: Slow down in the fast-paced world. Take the time to notice experiences and your environment. Truly enjoy everything you get to encounter.

How Often Should You Practice?

Anyone can practice mindfulness just about anywhere at any time. Practicing in nature, a dedicated space in your home or where ever is available can be beneficial.

Try committing to practicing mindfulness for around six months every day. Once you get the hang of it, it will become an effortless part of your life.

Depending on the kind of mindfulness you choose, you should set aside a specific part of the day to ensure there are no distractions or interruptions. Some practices require more concentration, such as a body scan. A good time to do this is early morning or before bed.

The Bottom Line

Mindfulness is a powerful tool. If you struggle with optimism and positive thinking, get into the habit of practicing mindfulness and watch how your mindset changes.

Photo by Thought Catalog.

Mia Barnes is a health and wellness freelance writer with a passion for yoga, mindfulness and self-care. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine. Follow Mia and Body+Mind on Twitter and Linkedin!
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