According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, people who have good attitudes have more energy, stay healthier and may even live longer than people who tend to focus on the negative--but having a positive attitude is not always easy to do. If you frequently find yourself with a less-than-great attitude, you may need to change the way you think.
Step 1
Learn to recognize when negativity hits. Look for clues like tension in your neck and shoulders, an increased or decreased appetite or a short temper. Different people manifest negativity in different ways, so become aware of how you respond to negative feelings.
Step 2
Develop a list of positive thoughts to stand in for your negative ones. Create positive thoughts for situations in which you're likely to feel negative. For instance, if you hate waiting in line, force yourself to think about something positive--the fact that you can curl up on the couch as soon as you get home, or that you got a great deal on your purchases, or something else positive.
Step 3
Come up with another list of positive things in your life. For instance, "I love having a job where I get to help people;" "I have a terrific family;" or "I am really looking forward to my vacation." A few times a day, pick one of your good thoughts and spend a minute or two focusing on it.
Step 4
Keep a journal, and write down three good things that happened every day. Flip through your journal for a quick reminder of all the positives in your life.
Step 5
Smile. The act of smiling can help you mentally shift gears and feel better about how a situation is going. Next time you're in a stressful situation or one that usually ends up with you feeling negative, force yourself to smile.
Step 6
Plan activities that you enjoy. Having a good time and having something to look forward to both help promote a positive attitude. Plan something simple like a night at home to read a new book or watch a favorite show or something more adventurous, like a week-long vacation.
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