Positive Thinking Day is a day to concentrate on all things positive. I’m usually a positive person, but with so much negativity in the world these days, some days it’s tough to remain upbeat. For today, let’s boost our spirits by putting political bickering aside, and focusing on good things.

This post was originally published in September 2021 and updated in November 2024.

Benefits of positive thinking

Most people associate positive thinking with mental health, but did you know it also has an impact on our physical health?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the mental health benefits of positive thinking include lower rates of depression and distress, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress. From a physical health perspective, positive thinking has been associated with increased life span, greater resistance to the common cold, and better cardiovascular health.  

Sounds great, right? So, how do we shut out all the negativity and stay positive?

6 things I do to stay positive

Over the years, I’ve developed a few habits to help me tune out the negativity. Here are 6 things I do to stay positive amid the doom and gloom.

Get outside in nature every day

There’s something about getting outside and enjoying nature that instantly boosts your spirits. In rain, shine, even snow, I get outside for at least a 15-minute walk every day.

The important thing to keep in mind here, though, is that to reap the benefits, you need to pay attention. A University of British Columbia study showed an increase in happiness and wellbeing when people took the time to notice the nature. So, put that phone away and focus on the world around you.

Change the channel on negative self talk

Negative self-talk is that little voice inside of your head that says things like “I can’t <insert your goal>”, “I don’t deserve <insert something you want>”, “I’m not good enough to…”, “Something will go wrong”, “I’m <insert negative character trait>”, or  “I suck at <insert any skill you’re trying to improve>”.

If you catch yourself saying any of these things, write them down. Then find a positive affirmation to turn the negative into a positive. For example, if you regularly tell yourself “I’m stupid” when faced with something new or difficult, try turning it into a positive like “I’m having a hard time understanding this right now, but I’m smart so I will figure it out”. Make a list of positive affirmations and look at them every morning, or any time during the day you start to hear that negative voice in your head.

Exercise regularly

I always feel good after a workout. Exercise helps with positive thinking in two ways. First, it helps your body release feel-good chemicals called endorphins. And exercise is a fantastic opportunity to focus your mind on your body’s movements, rather than whatever is troubling you.

And you don’t need fancy equipment, or an expensive gym membership. Check out free home workouts for couch potatoes to get started.

Unfollow negative people on social media

I love social media for staying in touch with faraway friends and family, but it can be toxic. If you have people on your social media who are constantly complaining, posting negative ideas, or promoting the latest conspiracy theory, consider the impact of that person on your mental health.

When you see posts from these people, don’t engage or argue with them. You’ll never get them to listen to your point of view, so why waste the energy?

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to unfollow, or even unfriend. You will feel so much better!

Take a break when things get stressful

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break. Go for a walk outside, or just get up and stretch. You’ll return feeling recharged and more productive.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out these 1-minute mindfulness exercises you can do between meetings to recharge and refresh.

Write in a gratitude journal

If you haven’t started a gratitude journal yet, now is a great time to build this habit. A study by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley showed that gratitude writing can have a positive impact for people with mental health concerns.

Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to write down things you’re grateful for. They can be big things like health or family, or small things like the flowers you saw on your daily walk or the sound of raindrops on the rooftop.

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10 positive things I’m grateful for

On that note, here are 10 things I’m grateful for right now.

• My daughter got a new job, and she doesn’t have to work night shift any more.
• A comfortable home that’s less cluttered than it was a year ago.
• YouTube workout videos so I can keep fit at home without spending any money.
• Technology makes it easy to fuel my lifelong learning habit.
• The safe arrival of our new great niece.
• Awesome co-workers who make even the most stressful days better.
• Abundance of fresh tomatoes from my garden.
• Seeing ducks, blue herons, and other wildlife at the pond.
• Cooler, fall nights make sleeping easier.
• Spectacular fall colours.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out some of my other positive thoughts posts:

• 10 years, 10 lessons – What cancer taught me about life
• Why you need to laugh today
• Thanksgiving and gratitude in 2023

I hope you found something here that will help you push the negativity aside and enjoy Positive Thinking Day.

How do you stay positive? Share your tips below.