A Potion for the Wise

You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it does take time and practice - youre creating a new habit, after all. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you usually think negatively about, whether its work, your daily commute or a relationship.Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what youre thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.Follow a healthy lifestyle. Aim to exercise for about 30 minutes on most days of the week. Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways. Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Dont say anything to yourself that you wouldnt say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.Think about things youre thankful for in your life.