Is life getting you down? Are you on your way to getting a Ph.D. in complaining? If your answer is a yes, then Positive Thinking Day (PTD) on September 13 is just the holiday you need to celebrate.
PTD is a day to set aside all negative thoughts and see that the glass is always half full.
The stresses and struggles of daily life can sometimes fill our heads with pessimistic thoughts. This unofficial holiday promotes the idea that negative thoughts do more harm than good - they drain energy, create more stress and can make one a less likeable person. Nobody wants to spend time with someone who is always negative and pessimistic.
The holiday, also known as International Positive Thinking Day encourages people to deal with difficult situations in life with optimism and positivity.
Positive thinking can have many benefits. Studies have shown that positive thinking can reduce stress and the risk of heart diseases, lower depression and increase life span. Some studies have even shown that positive thinking can increase the body's resistance to the common cold.
How to Celebrate?
Think positive! If you are having trouble believe that the glass is half full, then have a friend or a loved one reaffirm you.
Take or sit in a positive thinking seminar. Sometimes hearing about the benefits of positive thinking from an uninvested party can help.
Make a conscious decision not to put yourself down every time you do something wrong.
Laugh as much as you can. Laughter can reduce stress and decrease the urge to think negatively. Go out for a comedy show or movie, do a marathon of your favorite comedy TV show or read a comic novel. You will see a marked difference in how you feel after a few laughs. After all, someone wise did once say laughter is the best medicine!
Still feeling a bit low? Turn that pity party into an awesome dance party. Studies have shown that physical exercise can help alleviate mood and promotes positive thinking.
Do something nice for yourself, a loved one or a stranger - doing good deeds can help increase levels of optimism.
Did You Know...
...that the term Debbie Downer is the name of a fictional character on the popular American late-night live television sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live? The always negative character, played by Rachel Dratch made its first appearance in 2004. These days the term is used to call anyone who is always complaining and negative.