By Farah Somers

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Winston Churchill

Promote self-growth! By thinking positively you can reduce stress, hold better self-esteem, make life more enjoyable and even improve your health. Try to be mindful of your internal dialogue and recognize negative thoughts and positive thoughts. You are what you think. You feel what you want.

Sleep is crucial for better psychological and physical well-being. Adequate sleep helps improve and maintain energy levels, your immune system and mental clarity.

Avoid television and Internet before bedtime to decrease mental activity. Keep the bedroom for sleep and intimacy only.

Smile more, go on try it now! Smiling elicits happier feelings and is contagious so you can brighten someone else’s mood

Use positive words in your inner dialogue or when speaking with others. People are more disposed to help a positive person.

Disregard feelings of laziness

Once a negative thought enters your mind, be mindful of it and try to replace it with a constructive one.

Repetition of affirmations. An affirmation is a positive statement. Come up with some that are most relevant to you.

Imagine you are your best friend or mentor look at your negative thoughts and try to think what advice or positive perspective you could give.

Surround yourself with positive images. They may be famous quotes or motivating images, perhaps try putting some around your workspace.

Say thank you and be polite to others. Be kind to yourself and to others around you.

Remember that thoughts are under your control. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joyfulness, good health and a successful outcome in any situation.

Suggestions for improving your child’s positive thinking

In every class, try to associate with positive thinkers

In every book, look for one more interesting idea

With every friend, talk over what you have just learned

Don’t be afraid to ask teachers for questions, they are there to help you learn