Is there one thing that can make us happy, wealthy and healthy? What if I told you that this one thing can bring about amazing changes in every aspect of your life, whether it is at work, or in your relationship or how you feel about yourself.

It is…optimism.

When you have a sense of optimism, you will look at things in a different light. An optimistic person often wins half the battle because they know that they can overcome any difficulty or trial. This mindset is powerful in helping a person deal with any challenges in life.

1- Take action:

Optimistic people feel that they can create a positive change within themselves, and in people around them. When this happens, they are more likely to take the initiative rather than wait for things to get better. They are proactive individuals. This has a direct impact on their emotional and mental well-being. They do not allow difficulties to stop them from taking action. This cuts out negativity and sadness which many of us find ourselves in.

2- Take credit:

An optimistic person acknowledges what they have done. They don’t take credit in front of others but within themselves. When something good happens because of them, they don’t fail to acknowledge it. When they get a promotion, they acknowledge the hard work they put in. When they exhibit patience while dealing with children, they acknowledge the difficulty that went into practising gentleness and kindness towards their loved ones. This behaviour boosts their morale, self-esteem and self-confidence. This results in feelings of contentment and happiness, which pessimistic people often lack.

When they acknowledge their positive attributes, it automatically makes them more serene and content. When you compare this with pessimistic people, you would notice that when good things happen to them, they think it was just by chance. They don’t take ownership for it. This reflects on their morale and confidence.

3- Stress less:

Optimistic people stress less. That is why they live longer and are happier. They often think about the best case scenario instead of the worst-case scenario. They wonder what good can come out of any situation rather than imagining the worst outcome possible. Research shows that your brain cannot distinguish between reality and imagination. So, when you start imagining things, your brain starts believing it to be true even if it hasn’t occurred in the first place. Therefore, reducing stress levels by thinking positively plays a direct role in releasing happy hormones and making you feel better, physically and emotionally.

Tips To Change Pessimistic Behaviour:

If you have been pessimistic, you need not continue to be that way all of your life. You can change your mindset and outlook of life.

1- Be in tune with your thoughts:

Firstly, become aware of your automatic thoughts. These are the things that you think about it immediately. When you start becoming aware of your thoughts and inner voice, you can catch yourself and rephrase these thoughts, turning them into positive words of affirmations. This automatically stops the negative thoughts that almost always ruin your mental peace and stability. This makes you more in control of your emotions.

2- Give credit to yourself:

Recognize and give yourself credit where it is due. When you achieve something, acknowledge it. When you make changes, acknowledge it. This gives a boost to your morale and confidence. You will feel more competent. Don’t say to yourself that you can’t do it or it is impossible. When such thoughts creep in, catch yourself, and challenge yourself to say something that is more tangible. Don’t give yourself a false sense of confidence, but something that is achievable. When you do this, your mind will perceive it and believe in it that you can achieve it.

3- See the good in situations:

See the good in a person or a situation no matter how bad things look on the outside. Try to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. Take moments in your day to consciously train your brain to focus on what is good. This eventually becomes habitual. Many people are trained to search for what is wrong. This is the leading cause for depression and anxiety. This is what causes many to experience bad relationships. Such people fail to achieve their goals. It is easy to look for faults and negativity but it takes strong character and effort to search for what’s right.

When you look for positivity, you will automatically emit positive vibes and energy. People will love spending time with you and being in your company. This positivity will rub off on your spouse, children, coworkers and the community.

Therefore, strive to be that source of light and comfort to people around you. Cut out negative thought processes and strive to be the best version of yourself, for your Dunya and akhira.