If you started positive thinking/affirmations etc did they change anything for the better?

[Sadab]

Or is it a load of rubbish? I can be quite a negative person. I have a lot on my plate although I am fortunate in other ways I don’t always see it as I’m quite an anxious person. Does positive thinking work to make your life better?

sorry it isn’t what you asked exactly, but I have found gratitude journaling to be more effective. Really noticing the good things in my life has totally turned my mental state round.

I have had some success in this area, especially with journaling. I found it helps to also listen to positive stuff on you tube, keep off the news, watch comedies and feel good films,….. and avoid doom scrolling!

I have seen tremendous success in a particular area when following this. And I have noticed that things have gone to pot when I stopped.

Working on self concept is also important. Again, I find journalling helps, and working on self acceptance.

@Stormwhale thank you. How often do you do this? Do you just list things? Is it sometimes the same thing more than once?

Yes 100%. I used to have a very negative mindset. I talk to myself now as if I’m a friend and I literally turn my thoughts on their head. I have been significantly happier. Words hold tremendous power. Look up the rice experiment!

Also, as another person mentioned, gratitude. Yes, making lists of even small things to feel grateful for. Going for walks also helps me, especially in the countryside, nearest part, woods.

Yes, they can be very effective as they rewire your thinking - also practising gratitude can be very effective.

I found gratitude journalling very balancing. It doesn't mean you pretend things are great, but it creates space to remember that some things are good. And you can use it to target distorted thinking.

I remember going through a phase of feeling totally unloved and put upon, so I kept a journal of every kind and generous thing people had done for me. It was really eye-opening. In a week or so, I had written proof that I had been given free flowers and chocolates at the supermarket - once just because they had too much chocolate and once because I was polite when there was a delay at the till; a friend had given me a free ticket to a show I wanted to see, an acquaintance had left some homemade jam on my doorstep; strangers had held open doors, offered to help with bags; friends had invited me for walks, coffee, games night There I was thinking the world was against me when it had actually been full of proof of kindness. I just hadn't seen it and had been focusing too hard on wanting certain behaviour from certain people instead of seeing the whole picture.

As someone who has suffered from depression on and off throughout my life, mindset is everything. Positive thinking really does change your mood and your outlook. It can be hard if your natural instinct is to be negative (like mine) But the mind is like a muscle, you can train it to be positive.

Cliché I know, but exercise really does help an anxious mind. Just going for a brisk walk in the fresh air can really lift your mood.

Another advocate for gratitude / appreciative living. Starting each morning thinking of things you are thankful for can help remind you there are glimmers in the quagmire and bring balance.

There is a scientific reason behind why they work -

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/do-affirmations-work#how-they-work

I have successfully done it once. I regularly experience a psychosomatic symptom that causes me enormous discomfort. I have tried everything and it keeps occurring. My GP has tried everything. The other night, I started telling myself "you won't feel this tonight. You will not. You will have a restful sleep". It's worked, albeit imperfectly. Worth saying that I'm a pragmatic, almost cynical, person. My therapist has encouraged me loads to try some affirmations, even as simple as "I am entitled to my own thoughts". I haven't yet felt a seismic shift with this particular one, but it does make me feel a bit more self assured.

I’ve had depression anxiety and a negative mindset in the past, but I have definitely found that positive affirmations and prayer made a huge difference - Dare I say it, even manifesting!
If work isn’t going well, I write down what I’m going to accomplish/achieve in the next month and it regularly comes off. The key is not to spend time wondering how it will happen, you just have to know it will. Also, visualising whatever it is you want as a memory - I’ve had a lot of success with this. I do it with all aspects of my life, including my health.
One of the most successful people I have worked with told me over 20 years ago (before it was a thing’ that she used to talk to herself positively in the mirror daily.

I did a "Back to Work" programme many years ago and one of the many things I learned that helped was to look in the mirror every morning and say "I am calm, I am confident, I am in control." Eased my anxiety immensely and now I don't need to say it because I live it. (mostly!)

I agree with the gratitude focus, it helps me a lot.

I'm not madly religious, but I've started to say Grace before dinner a few times a week, when we eat at the table. I say I'm thankful for good food, good company, my cats. If partner cooked I say I am thankful for him being with me and cooking for us. It starts dinner in a calm way and something about speaking my gratitude out loud makes it more real.

I 💯 agree with you about exercise 👌.
I wouldn’t say I suffered from depression all my life, but was always a worrier .
Perimenopause hit & I went from being anxious at the beginning to full on depressed for a good 1.5 years .
My hrt patches were changed to lenzetto spray , I started exercising, & 🤞 all going good now .
I also put negative thoughts out of my mind & say positive things to myself instead , I find it definitely works being honest .

I guess you have to ask yourself if being how you currently are is working well for yourself?

The rice experiment is extraordinary, I agree!

Yes and its about having 100% belief in yourself. I'm a top 1.5% earner and that is purely because I believe I'm the best at what I do, self-confidence is really important.

F

Okay, and this post is exactly why I love Mumsnet and keep returning, despite the squabbles, differences and downright thread hijacking.
I came on here to inwardly scoff, quietly thinking it was all a huge joke at the devotee’s expense. But now zi have read all your comments I am going to practise gratitude journaling and see if it will work for me.
Thank you everyone- actually going off feeling a lot more positive

Gratitude is the key to being happy. Positive affirmations can link in with gratitude

Just wanted to agree with all the previous posters! As a bit of a natural angst-fest I've found walking in nature and counting my blessings really helpful when l start getting into a negative rut.

Positive thinking is a massive help. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, start focusing on how life could be if things go right. It makes a huge difference.