[ENGLISH] How to start your year with positivity?

Maybe it's hard to say to start your year with positivity in your heart if you are dealing with many problems that seemed  to be unsolved. It came to a point that your hopes fallen because of depression and disappointment. But then you came to realize that it's not only you who's facing challenges on a daily basis. There are even people that are not able to eat their complete meals because of poverty. Hence, when you had the chance to greet them, all the smiles in their faces and positivity in their hearts made you wonder why there are people like them.

Challenges in our lives are not that easy to surpass. But you were able to conquer them and at least survived. It was like swimming in an ocean that you can't reach. However, someone also helped you and threw a floater for you to swim easily. That's how life teaches us. Yes, we can solve our own problems but don't forget that there are people that are also willing to genuinely help us. Believe it or not, there are people whom we called as "heaven sent".

But first let us understand what does positivity means.

Positivity (noun)

- the practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.

Based on the definition, the words positive and optimistic are clearly present. Positivity gives us a light and smooth feeling of how to handle things that greatly affect our lives. Maybe you are thinking now that it is impossible, well, there are people that can testify that positivity really changes lives.

Mayo Clinic quoted:

"Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health."

Also, based on research, there are health benefits of positive thinking. And that include the following:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

(by mayoclinic.org)

How can we start to practice positivity in our lives to have a great year ahead? Let me enumerate some practices that I observe with the people who made positivity part of their lives.

Here are some ways to think and behave in a more positive and optimistic way:

1.Identify areas to change.

If you wanted to have a positive aura, you should start identifying areas wherein you can change your outlook. For example, your daily commuting going to work. It is a very tiring thing to commute and traffic is drastic but you can do things while you are on a ride. You can watch videos that will make you laugh or gain knowledge on it.

2. Check yourself.

Make a habit on evaluating what you feel and what you think. In that you way you can eliminate negativity by filtering your thoughts. You can share to those people you trust what you are feeling. They can, on the other hand, give their opinions in regards on what you have shared to them.

3. Be open to humor.

The only thing that is free today is your smile. Smile even the world frowns at you. Don't forget to laugh at times when you needed to. As they say, laughter is still the best medicine. Don't be harsh on yourself. Bring out the joy that you wanted to feel.

4. Follow a healthy lifestyle.

Include on your daily routine to exercise for about 30 minutes on most days of the week. You can also break it up into 10-minute chunks of time during the day. This method will let you to set your mood throughout the day. Learn to manage your stress by researching effective techniques.

5. Surround yourself with positive people.

Actually, this is my favorite practice. Nothing beats surrounding yourself with people who can help you with your circumstances in life by listening to their advice and feedback. Negative people might give you more disappointment and lead you to depression.

6. Practice positive self-talk.

Start by following a simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else or Don't do anything to others that you do not wanted them do to you. Be gentle to yourself and encourage confidence. Think of the things that you are thankful for.

Life is not that easy as we wanted it to be easy. But we can still manage our expectations and we are responsible with our actions and decisions. One way to take things lightly is to invite positivity on our outlook. Don't judge others the way they think nor they face their problems, instead, help them to also practice positive thinking. Let's spread positivity to humanity!