In 2012, the United Nations (UN) established March 20 as the International Day of Happiness. This day was established to recognize the importance of happiness and well-being as universal aspirations of human beings. With the aim of promoting a happier life, the specialist in Psychology and member of Top Doctors, Dr. Serrano Ripoll, provides us with some tips to achieve it.
Benefits of positivism
Different studies affirm that a positive attitude is closely linked to the emergence of feelings of well-being and happiness. In addition, it is associated with greater emotional balance and a better quality of life and has beneficial effects on overall health. Thanks to it, we will develop a more active attitude, which will encourage us to take the initiative in projects or plans for the future; we will improve our morale and, above all, we will benefit our mental health, favoring the overcoming of problems related to our state of mind.
How to be happy?
The psychologist, Dr. Serrano Ripoll, affirms that optimism, fortunately, can be learned. Being optimistic does not mean that one lives in the best possible world or that the past and the future are wonderful and problem-free. Rather, it has to do with the positive outlook we have on life. To settle into optimism we must cultivate it and incorporate it into our personal way of being:
1. Diary of the “best possible me”. It consists of visualizing what life could be if all the dreams that are projected were fulfilled. This is not an irrational fantasy, but reflecting on the most important expectations and goals and imagining that they are achieved.
2. Recognize barrier thoughts or pessimistic thoughts. Learn to detect pessimistic ideas, question them and generate more optimistic alternatives. Put it all in writing. Ask yourself: What else could this situation or experience mean to me? What good can I get out of it? Where can I improve? Have I developed something good as a result?
3. Engage in activities and experiences that make us feel good, as long as they are healthy. Small everyday acts that make us feel fulfilled and at ease with ourselves. Also, practice assertiveness.
How to change negative thinking?
Dr. Serrano Ripoll advises us that the first step to take is to turn optimism into a habit of life. “See life from an open and positive perspective, stopping to look at the good side of things. It takes effort and a lot of practice to achieve this, but if the person perseveres, he or she can achieve it and make it a habit of life,” explains the psychologist. She also notes that although it may seem that some people are more likely to be more optimistic than others, everyone can achieve it.
Therefore, being optimistic means making a decision about the personal way of seeing the world. It does not mean not wanting to see the negative side of things, or to avoid negative information. “Life causes the same setbacks and tragedies to both optimists and pessimists, but the former are better able to cope with them” (Seligman, 2004).