Last updated on September 26th, 2023.
Let’s face it. Sometimes we get down in the dumps. Sometimes the dumps hangs with us for far too long and maybe that’s because we don’t have the tools, mechanisms and coping skills to pull ourselves out.
What does it take to improve our attitudes? Maybe there’s a paradigm shift and complete outlook change needed. Maybe you just need to go on a jog and then ask how you feel. Sleep, nutrition and exercise are definitely consistently themes across almost all health related programs.
If it is a self-gut-check needed though, where do you start? How do you change your attitude and outlook? We explore some great suggestions and ideas below. You got this!
What exactly is an attitude?
Let’s define attitude first so we can begin on the same page. An attitude is a psychological state that reflects a person’s feelings, beliefs, and evaluations about a particular object, person, or situation. Attitudes can be positive, negative, or neutral and can influence a person’s behavior, decisions, and interactions with others. They are often formed and influenced by a person’s experiences, cultural background, and social influences.
How about an Outlook
A person’s outlook refers to their general attitude or perspective towards life. It can be thought of as the way in which a person sees and interprets the world around them. A person’s outlook can be optimistic, pessimistic, or somewhere in between. An optimistic outlook is characterized by a positive attitude and the belief that good things will happen. A pessimistic outlook is characterized by a negative attitude and the belief that bad things will happen. A person’s outlook can also be influenced by their experiences, personality, and coping strategies. It can impact their mental and physical well-being.
10 Ways of Improving Your Attitude and Outlook
There are many different things that can uplift a person’s attitude and outlook. Some examples include:
- Positive thinking: Focusing on the positive aspects of a situation and looking for the good in people and things can help to improve one’s attitude and outlook.
- Gratitude: Practicing gratitude and focusing on the things we are thankful for can help to shift our perspective and improve our overall mood.
- Exercise: Physical activity can help to release endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that can improve mood and reduce stress.
- Social connections: Building and maintaining strong social connections can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and improve overall well-being.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help to reduce stress and improve mental clarity and focus.
- Achieving small goals: Setting and achieving small, manageable goals can boost self-confidence and improve one’s outlook.
- Helping others: Helping others and being of service to others can improve one’s mood, increase self-esteem, and provide a sense of purpose.
- Engaging in hobbies and interests: Engaging in activities that we enjoy can help to reduce stress and improve overall mood.
- Laughter: Laughing and enjoying humor can help to reduce stress and improve overall mood.
- Getting enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall well-being and can help to improve mood and reduce stress.
Let’s break a couple of these down further because they’re worth exploring. Is it really possible to simply shift your thoughts into being more positive? What about gratitude? That term seems overused but why is it so consistently used in both spiritual and secular practices for happiness? The answer: because it works. The final practice we’ll break down is exercise. For so many reasons exercise can help you shift your attitude and outlook. Let’s take a deeper look below.
Positive Thinking
It is possible to shift one’s thoughts towards being more positive. The process of changing one’s thoughts and attitudes is called cognitive restructuring. It can involve identifying and challenging negative thoughts, replacing them with more positive and realistic thoughts, and learning to view situations in a more positive light. This can be done through techniques such as journaling, mindfulness, and therapy.
However, it is important to note that changing one’s thoughts and attitudes is not always easy, and it can take time and effort. It also can be influenced by many factors, such as past experiences, personality, and external circumstances. Additionally, for some people, a negative outlook may be a symptom of a mental health condition, and seeking professional help is important.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can help improve one’s outlook and overall well-being. Gratitude is the practice of being thankful and appreciative for the good things in one’s life. Research has shown that gratitude can have a positive impact on a person’s mental and physical health, including reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, and increasing feelings of satisfaction and well-being.
One way to practice gratitude is by regularly reflecting on the things in one’s life that they are thankful for, such as relationships, opportunities, or possessions. This can be done through journaling, verbalizing gratitude to others, or simply taking time to reflect on the positive things in one’s life. Additionally, expressing gratitude towards others can also strengthen relationships and promote positive emotions in both the giver and receiver.
It’s worth noting that practicing gratitude does not mean ignoring or dismissing negative experiences or emotions, but rather finding balance and perspective, and acknowledging the good things in life alongside the challenging ones.
In summary, practicing gratitude can help improve one’s outlook by increasing positive emotions and promoting well-being. It can be a useful tool in cognitive restructuring and developing a more positive attitude.
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on a person’s attitude and outlook. Regular physical activity has been linked to improved mood, increased self-esteem, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise can also help to reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
The benefits of exercise are thought to be related to the release of chemicals called endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. Exercise can also promote better sleep and improve cognitive function, which can also contribute to a more positive attitude and outlook.
Additionally, exercise can serve as a distraction from negative thoughts and can provide a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy, which can help boost self-esteem and overall well-being.
It’s important to note that the effects of exercise on attitude and outlook can vary based on the person and the type of exercise they engage in. A consistent exercise routine is best for maintaining positive effects on mood and outlook. Also, it’s important to check with a doctor before starting a new exercise routine, particularly if you have any health conditions or concerns.
In summary, exercise can have a positive impact on a person’s attitude and outlook. The benefits may include improved mood, reduced stress, increased self-esteem and overall mental health. It can serve as a useful tool in cognitive restructuring and developing a more positive attitude.
In Conclusion
It’s worth noting that what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to try different things and find what works best for you. Additionally, it’s also important to address underlying issues that might affect one’s attitude and outlook such as depression or anxiety.
