How To Become More Optimistic With A Few Simple Steps

We all know at least one or two people who are eternal optimists. They are always happy and even when the worst possible thing happens to them, they see something good about it. They probably make you crazy. But you cannot pull away from them. Their optimism is something we crave. In this article, we hope to show you how to become optimistic and how to remain optimistic throughout your life. We are born with an optimistic and curious nature. We want to touch everything. Everything we see is wonderful. It takes a few shocks, scoldings from our parents, and caregivers to take away that curiosity.

How did we learn to be pessimistic?

There are many ways we were taught to be pessimistic. Here are a few of them that are very common:

Failures in the past
- Maybe you have tried and failed in the past. There are times when a parent or coach lets a child just keep trying until they “get it.” But, if the child just doesn’t understand what he is doing wrong, the repeated failures hurt his confidence more than the win builds him up. If you have not addressed this, it can have a negative impact on how you view yourself.
Parental established self-esteem
- When a parent teases a child about their weight, their shoe size, or any other part of their body, they think it is cute. But the child goes to school feeling imperfect in a building full of kids that are more than happy to point out their imperfections. Yes, this is a clear pessimistic layer on the vision.
Company you keep
- The kid got his first massive doses of pessimistic energy from those who were supposed to care for him. He believes he has problems. So, he finds people like him to make friends with. He will not choose kids with cute faces, talents on the sports teams, that people cheer for. He is never going to take a compliment at face value. There is always something more behind it.

Learning to live an optimistic lifestyle

You may have been one of the kids described above. If you are, you know that being pessimistic does not go away with age. It only gets worse. This is one of those things that grab hold of your life and becomes part of who you are. It changes who wants to be around you, and it drains your personal happiness. It even limits the types of employment you will be offered. You know it is not right. You know it is not fun. You are the only one who can change it.

Here are some simple steps that will help you get started.

Keep a notebook or a journal
- Every time you make a negative comment or jester, write it down and who was around. Later (at home) write down something positive you could have said instead.
Get a role model & accountability buddy. It can be anyone you know that you respect to help you and to hold you accountable to your word. If you step out of line, you have to put a dollar in a jar for charity
Never predict the future. Only comment on today. Predicting that everything will go wrong tomorrow is a pessimistic best tool.
Challenge yourself daily to replace negative talk by replacing it with positive statements and keep a record of your success.
Give yourself a pep talk every morning.
If you notice someone else with a negative outlook, say something positive and smile. It will shock the room, make you feel better, and give you a taste of the power of positivity.

Exercises

Watch your diet
1. Eating sugar, carbs, fats, and empty calories are not just bad for your body, they are also bad for your brain and your mood. You will feel sluggish and tired. Your body will spike and then crash as your blood sugar rises and falls. You are likely to experience food cravings because your body is not getting proper fuel.
Stay hydrated
1. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times while you are getting your diet under control. Limit your caffeine. Water will help your organs function. It will flush out your system and allow your brain to be sharp, and that will allow you to concentrate better on your new outlook on life.
Say “NO” to fear
1. All these years you have been letting life pass you by. Maybe you would not go on a trip because an airplane could crash. Or would not take a cruise because a boat could sink. But, there are plenty of fun things you can do that are safe and exciting. Some are from the comfort of your own home. Use your home computer to play games.

Go on a trip, win some money, meet the partner of your dreams online. Now that you can see that life is not about luck.

Better Physical Health

According to studies done by the Mayo Clinic, people who live a more positive and optimistic lifestyle tend to be physically healthier than those who do not. The study had the following results:

Patients suffered from less stress
Patients suffered less from depression
Patients have a longer lifespan
They have better overall cardio health
Their coping skills are more developed
They tend to have a stronger immune system
- They suffer less from colds, flu, and respiratory illness

Unhealthy habits

The Mayo Clinic health study noted that people who are optimistic are more likely to quit or avoid bad habits that will affect their health. They usually will not smoke, or drink alcohol. They will include physical exercise into their routine. They will not partake in drugs.

A person seeking an optimistic lifestyle starts with their mind. They choose the way they think and they make it happen. They chose the way they will speak and react, and they learn a better way. The new them will eat to sustain the lifestyle in which they now live.

It will not be easy, but it can be done. Life is waiting, just for you. Just make the commitment and start living for you. Every day is a new beginning and every mistake is a lesson learned. This is all you need to know, to grow higher than you ever thought possible.