Only just thinking about positive outcomes is pretty flimsy foundation for optimism and self-esteem. A strong foundation needs reinforcement.

To do that, we need to identify our unconscious negativity, and massage it out of our skulls.

Then, we need to reaffirm with positive words and actions.

Then, we need to reaffirm with positive words and actions…

(you get the idea)

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Writing appears to be one of the most effective ways to achieve these important skills.

A group of high school students was given the following task for ten days to see what would happen. Before going to bed, they were to jot down three things they did well that day.

At first, nothing happened. (or so it seemed) BUT, with each passing month, for the next three months, the student’s happiness and well-being shot upward. This works approximately the same for adults.

The author of these famous studies, Martin Seligman, added that these effects do not fade away like placebos .

Consider:

If a mere ten days of reflecting on what we do well can lead to significant psychological improvement over several months, what could happen if we did this each day for one month? Dare ya.

Try it anytime you hate your job, your people, or your life.

Heck, why not try it if your life is all unicorns? Maybe you’ll trigger some sort of singularity of glitter and universal well-being.

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When you’re scrubbing away at your negativity, it’s recommended that you activate as much of your brain as you can. Writing taps additional language centers in the brain that stack with those activated by general positive thinking. It adds up to a deeper, more permanent impact on your thinking.

If you’re listening to positive words/messages, reading uplifting books, thinking about your accomplishments or things you like about yourself, and you’re taking notes about it… you’re stimulating a lot of different centers of your brain with good vibes. It all compounds.

WARNING, THO:

Writing is a two-edged sword. Research suggests that If you write down negative feelings and thoughts or write about stressful things that have happened, you risk feeling even more emotionally distraught, and you are more likely to experience symptoms of illness.

Or, maybe not always… Because other research show that brief written commentaries can temporarily provide relief. As researchers at the University of Chicago discovered, “Simply writing about one’s worries before a high-stakes exam can boost test scores.”

My takeaway is that brevity is the key. Acknowledging your feelings in writing doesn’t have to mean slow-cooking your brain in a marinade of emotional tar.

via GIPHY

If you’re looking for another strategy, try keeping a daily list of gratitudes. Research around the globe shows that it will improve your mood and your relationships.

A study of 221 young adolescents found that when they filled in a gratitude journal for three weeks, their feelings of wellbeing, optimism and life satisfaction were enhanced.

Children that are the best at gratitude are happier, have more friends, and are generally more positive than others. And when minority students wrote about themselves in positive ways, their sense of personal adequacy and integrity improved, along with their grades in school.

If you write down your goals with specifics, research shows that you are more likely to reach them.

Writing is powerful. We’d be leaving a lot of life on the table not to use it.

A scuba diver with fish swimming around him, showcasing the mental focus required for this simple yet exhilarating activity.

Dive Deeper

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