Positive training..

Inspiration for writing can come from all sorts of interesting places…one of my new things to do this year is taking a walk in carrickbyrne forest with Roo while listening to a lovely mix of podcasts, I listen to ones about Thai Massage, teaching massage, movement, Gilmore girls.. and todays inspiration came from a dog training podcast (absolute dogs) which I have recently added to my list, aiming for positive ways to bond with Roo and make sure she is happy and chilled. On our walk a few days ago, the absolute dogs podcast was all about positive attitude, not just for dogs, but their humans too, and they are so right, we need positivity training!

Lets face it, looking at things from a negative point of view is something we all slide in to sometimes, and it has a spiralling effect of increasing out tension, our stress levels and out outlook, our responses will in turn become negative which may then pass the negativity on to others.. We are flooded with news of all the terrible things in the world, and often its too much to take.

When negative views build on each other it changes how we view the world and our lives, adding to stress levels and imbalances as we try to protect ourselves. While most of the time we can shake it off and bring ourselves back around, it takes effort and sometimes help.

The same is true for positive thoughts and responses, the more we look at things in a positive way and respond to people with kindness and compassion, the better and lighter we feel..

The interesting approach in the podcast which inspired this post today was that we need to train ourselves to think more positively, rewarding ourselves for positive responses and shaking off/ letting go of the negative ones.

I love this idea, it goes beyond being mindful or gratitude practice to reinforcing this behaviour..

Begin by thinking of ways to reward yourself, id imagine for most this wont be a salmon biscuit, while it can be a nice treat of your choice, these things should also be some me time, things that you enjoy, time with your book, a walk, time with friends and loved ones, a good stretch…small things which bring you joy and balance. We live in a culture where we are often encouraged to feel bad about me time, but its not an indulgence, its about bringing balance to your life.

Be mindful, in your interactions with others and with situations, are you assuming the worst? Why? Are you basing this on past experience or judgement from others? Can you let this go and be a blank slate? See how it plays out this time? you may be surprised.. If you do experience a negative situation or interaction, try to find something positive you can take away from it, focus on this and let the rest fall in to the background.

Each time you do this, add a little reward in to your day, making even more positive associations with looking for the brighter side of things, rewiring your responses a little, each time you don’t manage this look back, can you find a positive lesson for the future? Shake off the negativity, smile to yourself and carry on.

Of course, I’m not suggesting you blindly trust every person and allow yourself to come in to harms way, simply that taking responsibility for your own mental health and attitude, with little steps and rewards every day will enhance your life, reduce your stress levels and hopefully your positive attitude will be contagious.

Of course an amazing reward, or way to start off your positivity, or just to reduce your stress levels is to book in for some rebalancing bodywork..