The Power of a Positive Mindset during Lockdown
The Power of a Positive Mindset – Things to Remember through Tough Times
Our thoughts influence the way we feel and experience life events. Negative and unhelpful thoughts are responsible for causing anxiety and stress. When negative thinking takes residence within our minds for too long, it creates familiar habits that shape our mood, temperament and personality traits. In the long-term, a negative outlook can become toxic. Fortunately, if it’s true that thoughts have such an influence on our well‐being, then is it also true that a positive mindset can make us happy and healthy. This is especially important during the COVID‐19 lockdown.
Therefore, the trick to being happy is creating a positive outlook toward life. If something has upset us in the past and that something is likely to happen again in the future, i.e. another boring day in lockdown, it is important to ensure it does not continue to shape the way we feel and think. Even during lockdown, we can make happy memories. Choosing a happy narrative for our life is up to us!
Sleeping through habits
A habit starts the day with us in the morning. If we have worries, this is the time they will wake up too. The moment we recall those worries, we are effectively linking them to memories that are in the past. We then may start to feel unhappy and sad about something we cannot fix or change. Allowing the past to shape the future never makes for a positive mindset. Whatever upset us yesterday is likely to upset us again, like the anxiety of being confined at home during lockdown.
We need to learn to break free from our past habits and move into a positive frame of mind. In ‘Never split the difference’, Chris Voss explains that “when people are in a positive frame of mind they… are more likely to collaborate and problem‐solve ‐ instead of fight and resist”
Switching from victim to creator
When we live as a victim, everything that happens to us is because someone did something or an experience made us feel a certain way. It’s only when we switch that around to become the creator of our world that we become empowered and start shaping the life and reality we want.
To do this, it’s good practice to bring yourself back to the present moment and remind yourself that you have a will, and you have a choice on how you intend to handle whatever situation is in front of you. You can shape your present experiences differently to how they were yesterday.
When you become aware of your old habits and emotions coming back, challenge them. Do you really need to get angry over the silliest family argument? Is it really affecting you? Learn to deal with it in a fresh new way. Break that pattern!
Habit, Temperament, and Personality trait
Dr. Joe Dispenza explains the difference between habits, temperament, and personality in a very enlightening way. He states that long term memories are created from very high emotional experiences. When we hold to that feeling for longer than it’s needed, we create a mood. If we keep that same emotional reaction for weeks or months then we get a temperament. If we keep that going on for years, it becomes a personality trait.
That is why is so important to refrain yourself from carrying negative emotions longer than needed because it can alter your personality. Additionally, when we recall that negative memory, we then have a tendency to anticipate the worst‐case scenario based on this past experience. It leads us to continually live with unnecessary stress and negativity in the present. Take charge and remind yourself that you cannot predict the future. If you are enthusiastic and optimistic about everything you do, it’ll be reflected in your temperament and you’ll feel great too!
Make a change
If you process the same thoughts every day, you’ll have no way of moving forward. You will continue to make the same choices, have the same behaviours, and the same experiences finally leading you to the same emotions.
From time to time challenge your emotions and behaviours. What thoughts do you want to get rid of? What behaviours do you want to create? The more you train yourself to think differently and to become your best self, the more you will become just that!
Things to remember for a Positive Mindset through difficult times...
Right now especially, we are all feeling at times stuck, frustrated, and stressed. However, finding a way to emerge from the other side of these experiences is vital. Here are some thought‐provoking things to remember when you are going through tough times:
- Nothing is permanent. Not even your worst‐case scenario.
- You are more resilient than you think. The proof? You’ve overcome challenges and obstacles before.
- Learning experiences are good because you grow the most through change, discomfort, and difficulty. It may suck right now, but you will come back wiser and stronger.
- Not getting what you want may actually be a blessing in disguise because it might not be what you need.
- Life is full of ups and downs. The ride is long and bumpy so don’t take it too seriously and enjoy it. Even through rubbish times you are allowed to have some fun.
- Truly great things generally take time to achieve or arrive. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Being kind to yourself is the best medicine. If you don’t learn to love yourself why should others? - You are not alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Anyway, people love to help because it makes them feel good.
- Other people’s negativity isn’t worth worrying about, because it is toxic! Stick to your positive mindset.
- Stop comparing yourself to others, it will only make you feel less worthy! Life is not a race. We all begin at different starting points.
- Even in the toughest of times don’t forget to express gratitude and to be compassionate towards yourself and others.
- There is always hope and there is always, always something to be grateful for.
How a Positive Mindset helps to Manage Coronavirus Anxiety
Uncertain times can be a breeding ground for anxiety so try to practice good anxiety management as much as good hygiene! Things to remember and practice:
Even during lockdown, we are the architects of our own memories and happiness. Try to make the most of your time indoors. In 1965, Isaac Newton had to work from home due to the Bubonic plague. It was one of the most productive periods in his life, where he developed his theories on calculus, optics, and gravity. - Limit information intake and ensure you rely on good fact‐based sources when you do research. Checking news or social media about COVID-19 can seem reassuring but in the long term it can increase anxiety. Digest news throughout the day but never check before bedtime.
Use this time to cultivate your relationships by catching up via video call with loved ones you haven’t spoken to in a while, especially the ones who make you feel good. It’s as much a benefit to your positive mindset as theirs. - Talk through your anxieties with someone sensible you trust. Equally, if a conversation is making you feel anxious, don’t feel bad for asking to talk about something
Don’t forget the basics: eat healthy, hydrate often, move daily, sleep lots. Continue to get as much fresh air and daylight as possible. Even if that’s sitting next to a window, get your daily amount of light and Vitamin D.
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Lorenza Brock is a Well‐Being Consultant and founder of Wellness & Purpose. The philosophy of Wellness & Purpose takes a holistic approach to mind and body well‐being alongside financial independence to unlock a complete sense of wellness, fulfilment and purpose. Her goal is to help people start their journey to a healthier, happier and more meaningful life. She likes to tickle people’s curiosity by asking them: if money and health were not a problem, what would you do with your time on earth?
