How positive thinking can influence and change your life

How positive thinking can influence and change your life

What if we started by changing our perception of what surrounds us to get better or at least lighten up? Here is, among other things, what positive thinking offers. Professionals explain the process to us.

With this gloomy and anxiety-provoking news linked to the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic, we really need to review our way of thinking, to see what is happening around us. Maybe it's time to try some positive thinking. Straight from the United States, it allows you to change your vision of the world, of others, and of yourself. Positive thinking is not just about turning a blind eye. Nor is it an abstract method that promises eternal happiness. On the contrary, it is a real way of life. Sheryl Sandberg - the emblematic director of operations at Facebook - also mentions it in her book Plan B, or how to regain strength in the face of adversity, published in May 2017 by Éditions Robert Laffont. She highlights in particular her role in surviving a painful ordeal, in this case the death of her husband, in 2015.

How to get started and apply the method on a daily basis to make your life easier? Antoine Pelissolo, psychiatrist and author of the book Finding Hope: A Primer of Positive Psychiatry (Éd. Odile Jacob), and Philippe Gabilliet, Professor of Psychology and Author of The Praise of Optimism: When Enthusiasts Move the World (Éd. Saint Simon), deliver their advice to think differently and make us (finally) see life on the bright side.

Change your perception of events

In the office, when your n+1 or your colleague gives you a negative criticism, it is not uncommon to ruminate all day, and end up telling yourself that you are as bad as your work. Positive thinking here allows you not to focus on this single event, but rather to remember all those other times when your actions were greeted. By modifying your perception, the method obliges you to retain the positive of each situation, to put things into perspective, but also not to waste energy unnecessarily. “By working on this, we learn not to dramatize anymore, we take a step back and we are positive about others. We thus gain in serenity, ”adds Professor Philippe Gabilliet.

Become kind again

It is necessary to attack the heart of the problem: to modify your own view of yourself. In this, positive thinking allows you to gain in benevolence, to give yourself the right to make mistakes, to congratulate yourself on small daily successes and to accept the compliment of others. This benevolence also applies to others. “Being positive increases the feeling of gratitude towards those around you. The benefits are multiple, we feel better and we have more confidence in the future,” explains Antoine Pelissolo. The phenomenon also weakens our negative emotions and provides a lasting sense of well-being.

Relieve stress

“Positive thinking allows you to focus on the present moment, to stop anticipating problems, and to fight against these ruminations. We learn to let go, to stop trying to control everything. By force of circumstances, we are obliged to be in acceptance, ”says Antoine Pelissolo. The latter is essential: “You have to accept your own failures and disappointments, and above all not try to hide your sadness or suffering. It is thanks to this step that we can become more peaceful,” insists Phillipe Gabilliet.

Give yourself a living environment

Positive thinking imposes a framework of life. To take care of your optimism, you should set goals, carry out your projects, establish regular schedules, and even have a light routine. All of this contributes to significant emotional stability. Thus, Philippe Gabilliet highlights the importance of concretizing his desires: “One of the major axes of positive thinking is to project oneself. Setting goals is essential in order to move forward. Turning your dreams or desires into reality is very rewarding and provokes a real sense of accomplishment.

At the same time, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Adopting a regular sleep pattern, being in tune with your needs and eating a balanced diet helps to be better in body and mind. Psychiatrist Antoine Pelissolo confirms this: “Being happy and positive requires – among other things – a balanced diet. Saturated fats and sugary products have a negative impact on the brain, which itself governs our moods.

Prevent burnout

Many leaders are already followers of positive thinking and integrate it into their companies: well-being seminars, relaxation coach, specialized psychologists... The benefits are quite astonishing, as Antoine Pelissolo demonstrates: "It protects against the harmful effects of stress. . It allows you to regulate the consequences and find the right balance at work, so as not to be overwhelmed. You learn to know yourself better, to better identify your resources, and to concentrate on the tasks for which you are capable. In short, we learn to be more efficient and above all, we know how to say stop when necessary.

How to apply positive thinking in everyday life?

To adopt the philosophy, many tricks exist. According to Antoine Pelissolo, it is essential to start by planning a schedule that includes breaks, whether at work or at home. “This moment of your own allows you to refocus on the present moment and relieve the pressure. In the office, we opt for five-minute blocks, three times a day. On weekends, we favor longer breaks, to develop personal projects or do an activity that pleases”, illustrates the professional.

We can also fall asleep on the positive mode: “In the evening, always remember three positive memories of our day, whatever the nature of the moment. The important thing is to fall asleep peacefully so that the brain registers this feeling of well-being and gratitude”, informs the psychiatrist. No need to focus on negative ideas and try to chase them away. When that happens, it's better to just look back on happy moments. Professor Philippe Gabilliet recommends, for his part, to keep a daily “positive diary”, in which one writes the joys of the day. We train our subconscious to remember only the good times.