3 Positivity Practices to Increase Your Joy

Increase your joy during April’s National Month of Hope by using Dr. Laura Gabayan's 3 Positivity Practices.

Source: Liz H Kelly

Being positive is very important in life. It’s like a secret sauce that helps one overcome hurdles and move forward. Life has many difficult moments, and positivity lets you get through tough times while acting like a protective shield. To live a more meaningful life, below are three positivity practices that can increase your joy during April’s National Month of Hope.

To develop these insights, I created The Wisdom Research Project and interviewed 60 wise adults about what makes someone think outside the box to solve problems. Based on my study, I scientifically defined wisdom as eight elements that I describe in my book “Common Wisdom.”

Positivity was the third out of the eight elements in wisdom that I identified in the order of importance: Resilience, Kindness, Positivity, Spirituality, Humility, Tolerance, Creativity and Curiosity. All these eight elements are related and important. For example, resilience was the number one skill, and positivity helps you be more resilient.

It was positivity that helped me address the sudden loss of my home and community as a result of the recent Palisades Fire. Prior to this tragic event, it was positivity that has helped me deal with my physical limitations and accept that I could no longer see patients. Having a positive outlook allowed me to transition from ER doctor to an award-winning author.

Being positive can help you not only tackle the twists and turns that everyone encounters, but it can also help you embrace the uncertainty in life with hope and optimism. Yet positivity is a skill that is hard to maintain, and is often not prioritized.

Positivity can make a big difference in how one views life. To help people overcome obstacles, I often say; “things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.” Positivity helps you navigate through life’s challenges with grace.

To enhance your life, here are 3 positivity practices that can increase your happiness.

Smile as you smell the roses.

Source: Liz H Kelly

1. Use Positive Body Language

The first step you can take to increase your positivity is to change your body language. By changing your physical state, it will remind your brain to be more positive. Positive body language not only exudes strength, it also can boost your self-esteem and confidence. For example, by using more eye contact, it shows that you are listening, approachable and engaged.

The first body language priority that I recommend is to smile more often. This is a simple action that is often forgotten. You can put an alarm on your smartphone throughout the day to remind you to smile. After you do this for some time, it will become routine and you won’t need reminders. Smiling can reduce your stress levels and it sends a message to your brain that “life is good.”

The second is to improve your posture. As a result, you may feel better with less back pain, fewer headaches, and an improved mood. Whether you are sitting, standing or walking, you want your ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line to maintain natural spinal curves with your weight evenly distributed. By keeping your head up and back straight, it can open you up more to the world.

Good posture not only shows confidence, it also displays a sense of inner peace and positivity. This positive body language tells the world that regardless of what life throws at you, you can handle it.

The third body language tool is an act of kindness towards yourself by doing one loving action to improve your health daily. This activity can be simple or complex. For example, take time outs for breathing exercises, a pat on the back, or to rub your ankles. Be good to your body by eating more healthy foods and reducing sugar intake.

Say positive affirmations to increase positivity.

Source: Liz H Kelly

2. Say Positive Affirmations Daily

As humans, we have a natural negativity bias that can be overcome by saying positive affirmations daily. We originated as hunters and gatherers, and as a result were concerned about survival. While our lives have changed, our brains have not.

At the same time, we need to understand that our brains are powerful machines with great potential to be neuroplastic, which means they have an ability to adapt and change their structure and function in response to different experiences. This neuroplasticity is why we can learn new skills and languages. This adaptability is also the reason that positive affirmations can make a big impact on one’s outlook and mood.

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The key with saying affirmations to increase positivity is consistency. Recognize that the affirmation does not need to be true at first, but it will become true over time. Think of the phrase “fake it until you make it” or “fake it until you become it.”

To get you started below are a few positive affirmation examples. Choose whatever resonates with you:

“I have positive energy.”

“I attract positivity.”

“I am positive.”

“I am worthy of happiness.”

“My potential is limitless.”

Practice positive meditations every day as part of your routine.

Source: Liz H Kelly

3. Practice Positive Meditation Daily

Meditation is an act that can take as little as five minutes a day. A daily positive meditation can significantly improve your overall well-being, reduce stress and increase your focus. And by meditating in the same place, your body will associate that place with this positive act. The meditation should include a visualization of an experience, time, or person that makes you happy. See yourself smiling, and feel the joy. For example, think about the feelings you had at a special event, the joy of having the sun on your back on a tropical vacation, or the satisfaction of achieving a milestone where you were very proud.

Overall, positivity is a powerful tool that really helps one overcome tragedy and feel better inside. It has truly helped me see the silver lining in all that has happened in my life.

Using these three positivity practices has allowed me to view all my obstacles as gifts. At the same time, I acknowledge that everyone has moments of fear and sadness, and it’s important to process those feelings. Your negative emotions can also involve having positive feelings. This perspective can help you look for the bright side.

Dr. Laura Gabayan recommends these 3 Positivity Practices to increase your joy, happiness and success.

Source: Liz H Kelly

Believe that something good often comes out of a set-back, and that the positive outcome is not always obvious at first. Choose to live a positive life, and then watch how it brings you more inner peace, stronger relationships, and success.