Mindset can determine your health for the better and/or worse, so let’s examine where to start if you’re interested in improving your mindset. Mindset work highlights self-reflection at its core, exploring themes like positive mindset and energy, individuality, confidence and worth, being kind to yourself, keeping the faith, and aspirations.

Lifting yourself up is the goal here. It will turn into a habit and become easier with time.

Your mindset can work for you (positive) or against you (negative). When it works against you (spoiler alert: it happens to all of us), it can be a negative spiral on repeat, impacting both your mental and physical health for the worse. Given this, it’s important to normalize feeling the feels and then having a timeline for implementing coping strategies to shift your mindset from negative to positive.

It’s important to understand the full extent of the negative mindset that you might be facing. If you’re going through a hardship, try to put it into perspective as much as you are able; ask if you’re having a bad day or a bad five minutes of the day.

You can file shifting your mindset under true self-care, as it involves truly checking in internally.

Here are some skills for pumping up a positive mindset:

1. CONSIDER OTHER INTERPRETATIONS: Email and texting can be difficult because it can be easy to misinterpret the tone, which can lead to negative thoughts. If you’re stuck in your feelings about something that lacks tone, I suggest coming up with a variety of interpretations or scenarios that could explain the words or the true meaning of what someone could have said and why.
2. DEBUNK MYTH: Get out of your own way and play the opposite side. For example, if your confidence is down surrounding being an expert, make a list of reasons as to why you are an expert.
3. JOURNAL IT OUT: Old school pen to paper or even the Notes app on your phone can help here. Writing down your true feelings regarding a situation or event can serve as a great stress management tool.
4. EXPRESS GRATITUDE: A sense of appreciation. I like to think of gratitude as a thankful appreciation for what we have. Psychology studies provide evidence-based research to back up the idea that there’s an association between gratitude and happiness. Simply put, practicing gratitude can foster a positive mindset and better emotional well-being.
   • What would happen if you practiced gratitude more often and made it a habit (lifestyle) instead of a momentary thought (quick x)? Start practicing by making a list of 3 things, situations or people you are grateful for. This list can change or add up over time. Take it to the next level and look back at what you’ve written for a week or month for some positive perspective.
5. AFFIRMATIONS: Affirmations are (n): positive statements that allow for emotional support or encouragement. Believe them yourself by writing down “I am” statements that make you reflect on who you want to be. Example: I am a confident businesswoman.
6. ASK FOR AFFIRMATIONS OR COMPLIMENTS FROM OTHERS: If you’re having a hard time thinking of affirmations, simply ask someone to whom you are close to share positive words about you.
7. SHOW SOME LOVE FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR BODY: Our minds and bodies hear our words. If you’re struggling with body confidence and image, I encourage you to find some positivity in the now and combine it with gratitude. Ex: I love my legs because they are strong and allow me to walk.
8. ASK FOR HELP: Easier said than done, but if you don’t ask then you might never get it.
9. VENT IT OUT: Venting with a trusted source within your inner circle can be helpful for improving your mindset. Getting perspective from an outsider who is also an insider can be helpful. (This can be true in many situations but, if not, then don’t forget about practicing healthy boundaries.)
   • Bonus points if you can do so with a health professional like a therapist.
10. DO THINGS OFF OF YOUR HAPPY LIST: Create a happy list of things that fill your cup up. Turn to checking off options on the list when it’s needed. Examples might include going for a walk outside to get fresh air or grabbing a coffee from your favorite coffee shop.

Put it all into practice.

Wondering where to start? For an extensive dive into mindset work filed under stress management, check out how it is explored extensively in the 365 Wellness Workshop.

---

---

In the meantime, start with the questions below to get you think about improving your mindset:

Be honest with yourself:

• Who and what impacts your mindset?
• Is the impact for the better (or for worse)?
• How can you surround yourself with more of the positive?

Be consistent:

• Practice digging deep internally through ups and downs.

Awareness is a start!

• Create a routine.

How do you maintain positivity every day? Share with me below!