Positive thinking is very beneficial for our mental health primarily because it eliminates any form of paranoia and negative thoughts that can cause depression and stress. The process is actually a domino effect in terms of our overall health. Those who think positively feel happier and more contented with their lives.

1. Start Every Morning Strong

It’s easier to maintain a positive attitude all day if you implement it right when you open your eyes. That dreaded moment when the alarm goes off can often lead to irritation, which sets you on the path to have a negative attitude all day.

Instead, think about some ways to make your morning the best part of your day — especially if you’re not a morning person. Consider waking up a half hour or an hour earlier than usual. This means getting into bed earlier, too! Give yourself time to do the things you love but may not always have time for; go for a run, relish in a hot shower, have a cup of coffee, and actually make a breakfast (And, no, granola bars and frozen waffles don’t count.). Put on your favorite music or show, or even whip out a book, and start your morning doing something you love while enjoying your delicious, home-cooked meal.

When your morning is more productive and less rushed, you’ll be sure to head to work in higher spirits. That morning glow will spread throughout your day, and then the cycle can repeat.

2. Practise Meditation

Practicing meditation can do a lot to decrease stress and anxiety, as well as improve mental and spiritual health. A research study compared the brains of those who practiced mindfulness meditation — a style of meditation — and those who didn’t. The results showed that those who practiced the meditation showed changes in brain activity in areas focused on optimism and positive thinking.

Another study showed that meditation was able to decrease anxiety in health care professionals. This means that proper meditation may help decrease workplace anxiety for those in other high-pressure work environments, such as in customer support or service.

Even five minutes a day is a great start to a meditation routine. Practice deep breathing and clearing your mind. Simple methods like this are effortless and will help you find balance in your life, as well as let go of the negativity and stress that you may experience on a daily basis.

3. Maintain the attitude of gratitude

There’s so much for which to be grateful in life, so why not remind yourself of that on a daily basis?

A gratitude journal is a wonderful way to stay positive every day with little to no effort. Once a day, you can jot down at least three aspects of your day for which you feel thankful. They can be as small as seeing a cute dog on your way to work or as large as getting an offer from your dream job. In addition, they can be something that happened to you on that specific day — such as getting yourself a large latte — or something that exists in your life always — such as having a family who loves you.

Whatever you want to write is up to you. All that matters is that you’re remembering to feel grateful every day. By retraining your mind to think about all the good things in your life, you can develop a more positive outlook.

4. Have something to look forward to after work.

You may be tired after a long day of work, but having something planned after 5 p.m. can make the day look a little brighter. Whether it be with your coworkers, family, or friends, a night of fun can make the day go by a lot faster.

Your plans don’t always have to involve going out for drinks or dinner. Even planning a wine night with friends or a Netflix marathon can put a silver lining on your workday. The point is to craft your days to be more than just “work.” By penciling in some fun time several days a week, you can find a healthy way to balance your personal and professional life.

5. Treat yourself to some self-care every day.

It’s always important to take care of both your physical and mental health. It can feel overwhelming when you’re working a full-time job that requires you to constantly interact with people — whether they be customers, prospects, co-workers, or managers — in often high-pressure situations.

In order to keep moving forward with a positive attitude, it’s essential that you take a step back sometimes and treat yourself to something special. Self-care is all the rage these days — for good reason. And, it doesn’t always have to involve a nighttime soak in the bath with candles and a glass of wine — although that sounds lovely, too.

Consider the ways you can unwind, de-stress, and have some “you” time. Some examples are doing a face mask, watching a movie, baking, calling a friend, getting takeout, or even just saying “no” to plans and, instead, staying in. No matter what it is, you should get into the habit of practicing something every day. By allowing yourself these moments of pure bliss and rest, you can ensure a more positive attitude when you’re on the work grind.