Often time the way we look at the problem and the way we approach challenges, no matter what they are, has a significant impact on our well-being. We can have an optimistic view or we can be a pessimist. Indeed, in certain circumstances, it is difficult to be optimistic and have positive thoughts, but being pessimistic will definitely do no good to us.
When you are more optimistic person, you are more likely to be a positive thinker and as such, you are going to be able to handle stress much more effectively than those who are pessimistic.
Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you are going to stick your head in the sand and pretend that all of life's problems don’t exist, instead, it means that you take your negative thoughts and instead of dwelling on them, you approach them in a productive way.
Positive thinking starts with self-talk, which is a constant flow of unspoken thoughts that run through our brains.
Any time you get a negative or pessimistic thought, you can step aside and find an alternative view of the same thought. Very likely you will feel at least a bit of a relief.
Changing how you mentally approach the thoughts that are in your mind, you can completely change how you are approaching the stressful situations in your life. Instead of filtering your thoughts to only see the negatives in your life, automatically blaming yourself for all of the bad that happens around you, automatically assuming the worst of every situation, and seeing things as only black and white, you are going to be able to see the good, positive things happening all around you.
High levels of stress can bring you down and affect your physical and mental health in negative ways. People are always looking for ways to reduce their stress levels so they can feel better.
What you can do to become a more positive person:
Think about all areas of your life and assess how you feel about your success in each. Identify areas in which you would like to improve. With a “can do” attitude list a few things you can do something about it.
From time to time, pause and evaluate yourself and your state of mind. Re-calibrate and give it a fresh start if needed.
Smile and laugh, even if you have to put some effort into it. They say, that smile even if forced, can put you in a better mood.
Surround yourself with positive people
By just changing how you think about things every day, you are going to be able to handle your stress in a much more constructive way. Before you know it, you will no longer be making a conscious effort to think more positively, and it will be second nature.