Facts about positive thinking

As most of us already know, a positive state of mind can help you stay level-headed when making upcoming big decisions.

Here is what science says on positive thinking:

• Increases resilience: when you experience positive emotions during times of stress, you increase your resilience and have a faster cardiovascular recovery. This means that your blood pressure stabilises more quickly and your heart rate lowers, making it easier to remain calm and positive.
• Boosts your immunity: research shows that people who maintain a positive state of mind are better equipped to manage the symptoms of illness.
• Helps you think clearly: a positive attitude improves your ability to solve problems, make decisions, use creative thinking and judge objectively. For example, maintaining a positive state of mind can help you identify the best technology platform for your team and come up with a plan to keep your business operational, regardless of what’s happening in the world around you.

Ways to maintain your mental health during difficult times

Focusing on positivity helps you view your situation from a constructive perspective. Though this may be challenging when times are tough, there are some actions you may take to stay positive:

1. Acknowledge your emotions

Allow yourself to acknowledge whatever emotions you’re feeling. Acknowledging any stress or anxiety you’re feeling can actually help you gain control of those emotions. This step can also allow you to more constructively manage any negative emotions and shift your perspective. Try taking a moment in the morning or the evening to use a meditation app like Headspace to take a moment for silence and to centre yourself. Repressing or ignoring your emotions only increases the likelihood that they’ll return more strongly later. You may even decide to invest in a subscription option for all of your employees.

2. Prioritise the facts

In order to stay calm, it’s important to take a rational perspective on your situation. Ask yourself to what degree it’s interfering with your life and your business, what actions you can take and how you can manage any negative emotions you may be feeling. Take a moment to make a list of what you can control (what you eat for breakfast, when you set your alarm in the morning, etc.) and what you can’t (e.g. health conditions, global markets, etc.). Frequent websites you can trust for information, rather than social media or unchecked sources. Prioritising facts will ensure that you’re well-informed and not taking on extra unhelpful information into account in your decision-making.

3. Start a weekly gratitude practice

Gratitude changes you and your brain. Recent evidence suggests that something as simple as writing a gratitude letter weekly about what you’re thankful for in your life can have permanent, positive effects on your brain. Take five minutes to write five things you’re grateful for in your phone before you get out of bed. This could mean focusing on the health of your family, friends and employees, feeling grateful that your team can work remotely or appreciating walks you can take outside in nature. This practice can actually benefit your health, as reducing worry about things over which you have no control promotes calm, which can decrease anxiety and improve your immune system.

To help your team maintain a positive state of mind during difficult times, consider implementing a gratitude practice in their day as well. This could mean asking everyone to share what they’re grateful for using your company’s communication tool online or sharing a moment of gratitude over video calls before meetings.

4. Plan video calls regularly – and not just about work

It’s important to remember that you are not alone and to remind your team that they are not alone. Draw strength from those around you, and focus on being positive for them and for your employees.

Remember that even if you are physically apart, you can still be connected socially and emotionally. You could implement weekly video chats or calls with your employees. Begin your calls with a check-in, allowing your workers to take two minutes each to talk about their emotional, non-work-related status. By simply avoiding isolation, you can make it easier for workers to maintain their schedules.

5. Establish a normal daily routine

Make your life feel as normal as possible by maintaining your usual routine as much as you can. This means getting up at your normal time and going through your usual morning routine. You might go to the gym first thing in the morning, go for a walk outside or do a workout in your living room. Get dressed as you normally would, and start your workday at the same time. Continue to be purposeful, enjoy your free time and maintain a sense of normalcy as much as possible. These habits help you regain a sense of control and a positive outlook on your life and work.

6. Improve your physical health

Maintain a consistent exercise routine and make sure that you’re getting outside daily for fresh air. If you or your team currently have to spend more time at home, you could encourage them to make healthy meals and eat a well-balanced diet. You could include a messaging channel for people to post what they’ve made or share recipe ideas. Finally, make sleep a priority, and be intentional about getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Many creators on YouTube offer free workout classes that require minimal to no equipment.

Helpful resources:

• YOUTUBE: Yoga with Adriene
• YOUTUBE: The Body Project
• YOUTUBE: The Body Coach TV

7. Focus on you and your employees’ accomplishments

A sense of accomplishment can help improve your overall state of mind and remind you that you have control over what’s happening in your life and your business, both of which increase feelings of positivity.

Ask yourself: is there an employee who is standing out above all others in this tough time? Set up time to speak with them and ask them how they accomplished the things they did. How do they stay positive and hard-working? Share those insights with your team.

Encourage your team to lift each other up. If performance reviews are a part of your team’s culture, consider suspending them this quarter, and instead encourage employees to use this time to hand out ‘kudos’ to each other.