How To Change From Negative To Positive Thoughts In One Minute

I would like to share with you a small trick to alter your frame of mind. Emotions generate from thought. Let us say you start thinking on an event in the future. Since it is in the future you can not possibly discern how it will transpire. You begin thinking about possible outcomes. Bad outcomes, thoughts of how things could go wrong. Before you know it, your body starts to tense, your shoulders tighten and you experience anxiety. You formed this feeling and the response in your body regarding something that is not even occurring. Your body does not distinguish the difference between an actual event and your judgments about that event. Slash through the mind/body link with this trick and instantly put yourself back on the path of happiness.

The progression I outlined above (thoughts generate emotions which generate reactions in our body) also works in reverse. But how do I generate emotions? Through your body! Follow this process in reverse. All it takes is one minute!

The One Minute Smile

“Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.” Mark Stibich, PH.D. Behavioral Change Expert

Did you know that it is not possible to have positive emotions and think negative thoughts in the same instance? You cannot be content and miserable at the same time. By investigating the process above, through the use of the body we can deceive our mind to change from negative to positive thoughts.

Find a place, it could be your desk, your favorite couch, your chair, anywhere that you will not be interrupted for one minute. Now close your eyes (not essential but helpful). Smile for one minute. Say cheese!
That is it, just smile for one minute. Experience your tense shoulders relax. Sense your emotion shifting, becoming charged with new energy. Notice how your thoughts begin to change and become more positive.

“Simply using the same muscles as smiling will put you in a happier mood” Dr Michael Lewis, Psychologist at Cardiff University.

Are you starting to see how our bodies, emotions and thoughts take lead from one another? Are you starting to understand how you can use strategies like this one to interrupt this process, turn it from automatic to under your control? Keep it simple.

There is only one way to do this wrong and that is not to do it!

To be honest with you, I was feeling a little bit “stressed” about finishing this article. I immediately closed my eyes, took a deep breath in and smiled for about one minute.

Elevated mood: check
Feeling that I can complete this goal: check
Increased energy: check

And from here the day moves, only this time forward on a better, more positive foot.

Stay Inspired. Smile. Start living the inspirational life today!

By: Geoff Strickland

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