Let's Get Positive in 2014..

We all know that in this day and age it's really hard to have a positive outlook on everything BUT staying positive can help our mind, body and overall health.

Here are some of the top reasons for staying positive!

1. POSITIVITY HELPS COMBAT STRESS 
   Even if you are faking your constant smile and the fact that nothing ever gets you down, focusing on the positive side of life means that you are more likely to cope better with stress.
   
2. BEING POSITIVE CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
   Harvard University conducted a study which proved that people who were positive had better general health at the ages of 45 and 60, than those who were negative.
   
3. POSITIVE PEOPLE LIVE LONGER 
   People who are optimistic live longer and cope with illnesses better than those with a negative outlook.
   
4. POSITIVE PEOPLE ARE MORE RESILIENT
   If you stay positive you are more likely to face difficulties with more strength and will be more determined to sort things out. Focusing on what you can do to improve a situation rather than complaining about it helps you to overcome life's challenges rather than giving up on them. 

So, now let's talk about how to become a POSITIVE THINKER and how to ditch the negativity. 

One of my favourite things to remember is, 'What you can become depends on what you can overcome.' Let's overcome our negativity together. 

• Firstly, you must make a conscious decision to change, and stick to it. There is ALWAYS going to be negativity around you but you have to decide to stop letting it rule you. Don't let anyone or anything stand in your way.
  
• Positivity is all about OUTLOOK. It's all well and good telling yourself that from now on you're going to be positive but what about if your car breaks down? Are you going to be positive then? Let's look at the different ways you can look at that situation..
  
  1. Realism/Neutral - My car is broken.
  2. Negative - My car is f****d. I can't afford to fix it! My life is over!
  3. Positive - My car is broken. What can I do to fix it? How can I raise the money to fix it? What other ways can I use to get to work in the meantime?
  
  Nobody is expecting you to be like, 'Yippee, my car is broken, how delightful!!' But, being positive about the situation means that you can face the problem with a level head and are more likely to solve it with the least amount of stress.
  
• 'The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.' - Walt Disney
  The quote says it all really. You can talk about being positive until the cows come home but until you actually change something, you won't notice any difference.
• Remember that you can't expect to do things perfectly on the first try, but failing is good, it is part of learning, and it's not permanent unless you decide to quit and give up.
• Choose to be amazing. It may not be easy and being happy does require effort on your part, but once you get started it feeds itself and it does get easier.
• How you start the day is how you end the day, so start yours with a smile. 

Eventually you will be able to recognise when negative thoughts enter your mind and it's so important that when they do you acknowledge them and argue them. Stop negative thoughts in their tracks and make them work to your advantage. 

I hope this helped some of you and that you decide that a positive life is the one for you! I promise that you will notice a difference if you stick to it.

Thank you for reading and I'll speak to you all real soon :)
Charlotte xx