Lucy Lane - The Little Book of Positivity

THE LITTLE BOOK OF POSITIVITY

Copyright Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 2015

With research by Elanor Clarke

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, nor transmitted, nor translated into a machine language, without the written permission of the publishers.

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eISBN: 978-1-78372-862-6

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Remaining positive about yourself and your situation is key to your happiness. It can seem hard to remain on an even keel when life throws obstacles in your way: increasing work, home and even social commitments can seem to conspire to make us feel negative and unable to cope. This book is packed with easy-to-follow tips and uplifting quotes that can help you to put a positive spin on your situation and see the good in yourself. If, however, you find that low mood has started to affect your day-to-day life, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor.

KEEP A DIARY

Many people find keeping a diary cathartic as it provides a structured way to discuss and release emotions, as well as becoming a record of your recent history, which you can look back on in order to understand your feelings about and reactions to certain people, places and situations. Try focusing your diary entries on positive and negative feelings; ask yourself where and when you feel happiest, where you feel uncomfortable, and who affects your mood. Be honest with yourself and use this as a learning tool. When choosing a diary, make sure it is one you will want to pick up and write in every day. Choose a design and layout that suit your tastes, and keep it somewhere you know you will see it or remember it, for example on a bookshelf or in your bedside drawer.

Life isnt about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw

TALK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY

When trying to better understand any subject, talking to other people can prove invaluable, and the topic of how to stay positive is no different. As this is a personal subject, ask your friends and family how they stay positive, or how they deal with negative feelings, and what their coping mechanisms are; you may be surprised by their answers. Getting a broad picture by asking people you trust to share their views and experiences can help you better understand how to achieve a positive mindset.

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN AND THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU.

Maori proverb

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.

Thomas Jefferson

BE YOUR OWN GUIDE

Self-guided meditation can be an excellent starting point for understanding how you view events, both positive and negative, and how they affect you. Though many may view the act of meditation itself less than favourably, imagining extremely dedicated people sitting in the lotus position for hours on end, this is far from the truth. Meditation comes in many forms and, in this exercise, you are your own guide. Sit in a comfortable position, or lie down if you prefer, and close your eyes. Think of an event in your life that has negative feelings attached to it. Try to relive this event in your mind, without judgement, while you focus on the emotions and thoughts that it stirs up. Throughout, be non-judgemental; simply allow thoughts and feelings to come up, and recognise them for what they are. Next, do the same for a positive, happier event. For both, try to immerse yourself in the sounds, smells and sights around you. This will help you to understand what has triggered positive and negative emotions. You may want to write down your findings in your diary, so that you can go back to them at any time.

Change your thoughts and you change your world .

Norman Vincent Peale

You cant use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

Maya Angelou

MAKE A HAPPY LIST

In order to focus on the positive, try making a list of all the good things in your life. This might seem difficult at first, but you can always ask friends and family for help. The list could be made up of personal or general points, for example I am healthy, or My family is supportive. This is something you can pin in a prominent place to remind you of the good around you when negativity seems to be creeping in.

Youre the blacksmith of your own happiness.

Swedish proverb

Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass; its about learning to dance in the rain.

Anonymous

WALK INTO POSITIVITY

Starting an exercise regime can seem daunting, especially if you are feeling negative. Joining a gym or going to a group class can seem like the last thing you would want to do. However, exercise can be as simple as going for a walk. Just a half-hour walk each day can significantly improve your health and emotional well-being. You can fit this in on the way to work, at lunchtime or whenever feels right for you. Try going for walks in daylight and in natural surroundings; the sunlight will warm your skin and should make you feel more positive as it produces mood-boosting vitamin D.

PRACTISE YOGA FOR BODY AND MIND

The ancient practice of yoga is not just about moving and stretching your body, but also about attaining balance and improving posture and peace of mind. Yoga is non-competitive and practised at your own pace, allowing you to take time to really understand what your body can do. It can help you to feel more positive because of the strengthening and toning effect it has on the body, and because of the calming effect it has on the mind. Most classes will finish with a final relaxation pose or guided meditation, which can leave you feeling refreshed, happier and more in touch with yourself. If you would rather not attend a class, you could try yoga at home with the help of books, DVDs or online demonstrations.

START BY DOING WHATS NECESSARY; THEN DO WHATS POSSIBLE; AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE.

Francis of Assisi

If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.

Thomas Edison

For every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

DANCE YOURSELF FIT AND HAPPY

Dancing is, for many people, one of the most fun ways to get fit, and having fun alongside releasing the mood-boosting endorphins exercise provides is a great positivity cocktail. This can be as simple as putting on your favourite music at home and dancing around your living room or bedroom, or you could try a class. Jive, jazz, ballroom and Latin classes are all great ways to get fit and meet new people, and so are fitness classes such as Zumba. Choose a style that suits you and, above all, enjoy it.

If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.

mile Zola

STAY BALANCED

The most important thing to bear in mind when trying to adopt a healthy-eating plan is to start with a balanced diet that incorporates all the major food groups. Once you have ensured that you are getting enough protein, fibre, fat, and plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, you have a great starting point. If you are unsure of which foods are best for optimum health, a web search will provide you with comprehensive lists of foods rich in the nutrients you require, allowing you to plan healthier meals for your personal dietary requirements.