Being optimistic can be a challenge in the 21st century. There are so many distractions, so much bad news on social media, and so many fast-paced events that you might feel like you can’t keep up. Lucky for you, mindfulness is a great way to help you keep your head up. Read on to find out about how mindfulness can make you more optimistic.
Why is it so difficult to be optimistic?
Optimism often doesn’t come naturally – both because of external and internal reasons. Externally, a lot of unpredictable and awful events can make you less optimistic. This could mean troubles at work, fights with family, or fallouts with friends. Having constant difficulty in life often makes it a struggle for people to stay optimistic. Internally, however, there’s an additional layer of thought that could further prevent you from being optimistic. That’s your subconscious. Your subconscious is often negative, talking you down or jabbing at your self-esteem. It might tell you that you’re not good enough, that you’ve made a mistake or you’re being dumb. Positive thoughts, on the other hand, come less naturally and require more effort. It’s precisely because of these external and internal struggles that optimism is a tough trait to have.
How can mindfulness make you more optimistic?
#1 Mindfulness boosts your mood
Mindfulness practices like yoga and mindful walks are great ways to boost your mood. This comes from both physical and mental relief. Firstly, mindfulness activities like yoga make you more optimistic because physical stimulation boosts your endorphins. It makes you feel refreshed, excited, and happy. This way, with natural happiness, optimism comes more naturally. Secondly, having the time to reflect and acknowledge your emotions could make you less pessimistic. It’s this great combination that means that mindfulness could make you more optimistic.
#2 Mindfulness encourages reflection
Mindfulness practices like meditation encourage reflection. Here’s how it works. You should sit down somewhere quiet for just five minutes and close your eyes. Think back to your day. What went well and what went not-so-well? How did everything make you feel? What do you look forward to tomorrow? Having this time to rationally parse through your thoughts will discourage rash pessimism. You can instead sift through your problems and understand them calmly without losing faith in the world. This form of mindfulness might encourage optimism as you’re more rational and calm about life events. In fact, the calmness from meditation often translates into a better outlook of life. People who meditate tend to be more hopeful and optimistic because they believe their emotions are always within control.
#3 Mindfulness sparks joy
Just the simple habit of having a mindfulness routine or messing around with mindfulness solutions is a solid way to spark joy. For example, a Timeqube sparks joy with its unobtrusive mindful timer. This cube-shaped timer changes color with the passing of time. It can be used for your daily mindfulness sessions and add a pop of color to your life. After all, optimism comes from being in a happy place – so trying new techniques, tools and toys is a great place to start.