Full Transcript for A Guide to Positivity: Discover Your Hundred Acre Wood Mindset

feel right now. 00:03:08.193 --> 00:03:29.783 For me, positive thinking allows me to cope better when things are tough, to remind me that this too shall pass when I am in the thick of some seriously icky stuff, and it helps me refocus on what I can do rather than all of the things outside of my control. 00:03:30.405 --> 00:03:36.183 Being positive is within each of our control, even when life is trying to tell us otherwise. 00:03:36.183 --> 00:03:50.405 We can't change what has happened or is happening to us right now, necessarily, but we do have the power within us to change our response to those events or people or circumstances. 00:03:50.405 --> 00:04:08.453 And perhaps, if you are an Eeyore, you might disagree with me, but I think that when we transform our thoughts and habits to come from a space of positivity over adversity, we foster more opportunities for positive things to come into our lives. 00:04:08.453 --> 00:04:13.304 If we are what we eat, as the expression goes, then we can also be. 00:04:13.304 --> 00:04:15.189 We are what we think. 00:04:15.189 --> 00:04:18.810 Why not think more positively then? 00:04:18.810 --> 00:04:34.942 Why do we choose to keep holding on to our miserable way of thinking instead, when we know and even science proves this that positive thinking is better for our lives, emotionally, mentally and even physically? 00:04:34.942 --> 00:04:44.411 Positive thinking has long been touted as a powerful tool for improving one's life, but what is the real science behind this claim? 00:04:44.411 --> 00:04:56.630 How can we effectively cultivate positivity, and what practical techniques can help us actually overcome the natural human tendency towards negativity bias. 00:04:57.834 --> 00:05:04.290 In this episode, we're going to wander through the 100-acre wood and meet some of its very special inhabitants. 00:05:04.290 --> 00:05:20.442 We'll explore the transformative power of positive thinking, delve into the psychological research supporting its benefits and provide actionable strategies to help you develop a more optimistic outlook Along the way. 00:05:20.442 --> 00:05:29.439 I'm going to introduce a fun personality type test based on the beloved characters of the Hundred Acre Woods, such as Eeyore and Tigger and Pooh Bear. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:39.249 That will help you discover just which resident you are most alike and illustrate the different personality types and their perceptions of positivity. 00:05:39.249 --> 00:05:49.766 Each character in the Hundred Acre Wood embodies unique traits and challenges, yet they all find ways to navigate their world with optimism and care. 00:05:49.766 --> 00:05:52.668 Yes, even Eeyore. 00:05:52.668 --> 00:06:03.355 Here are our cast of characters, including the type of mindset that they each tend to view the world, from their response to positivity and their characteristics. 00:06:03.355 --> 00:06:14.302 This isn't the quiz we'll be doing a little later in the episode, but I'm just curious to see if any of them resonate with you more than others. 00:06:14.322 --> 00:06:15.704 Number one Pooh Bear. 00:06:15.704 --> 00:06:20.949 Pooh Bear maintains a balanced perspective, appreciating the good while acknowledging challenges. 00:06:20.949 --> 00:06:26.074 Pooh finds joy in simple pleasures and remains calm in adversity. 00:06:26.074 --> 00:06:35.821 They exemplify a steady, positive approach. 00:06:35.821 --> 00:06:36.182 Number two Tigger. 00:06:36.182 --> 00:06:37.567 Naturally energetic and always sees the positive in every situation. 00:06:37.567 --> 00:06:41.800 Tiggers can bounce back quickly from setbacks and inspire others with enthusiasm. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:45.528 They might need to balance optimism with realism. 00:06:45.528 --> 00:06:53.713 Number three rabbit Rabbits prefer structure and order, often feeling stressed when things don't go as planned. 00:06:53.713 --> 00:07:04.708 They benefit from focusing on flexibility and finding positive aspects in unplanned changes, and can cultivate positivity by appreciating the process. 00:07:05.468 --> 00:07:07.112 Number four piglet. 00:07:07.112 --> 00:07:13.149 Piglets often feel anxious and insecure, but they show courage in difficult situations. 00:07:13.149 --> 00:07:22.382 Piglets benefit from reassurance and positive affirmations to boost confidence and they can learn to focus on their strengths and small victories. 00:07:22.382 --> 00:07:24.968 Number five owl. 00:07:24.968 --> 00:07:31.127 Owl approaches life with wisdom and seeks to understand situations deeply. 00:07:31.127 --> 00:07:41.112 They use knowledge and logic to find positive solutions to problems and they can sometimes be overly analytical and would benefit from mindfulness. 00:07:41.112 --> 00:07:43.904 Number six Eeyore. 00:07:43.904 --> 00:07:48.843 Eeyore struggles to see the bright side and often expects the worst. 00:07:48.843 --> 00:07:52.394 He focuses on the negative aspects of situations. 00:07:52.394 --> 00:07:57.588 Needs intentional practices to shift towards a more positive mindset. 00:07:57.588 --> 00:08:00.476 And number seven Christopher Robin. 00:08:00.476 --> 00:08:07.862 Christopher Robin exhibits kindness and leadership and encouraging others to see the good in themselves. 00:08:07.862 --> 00:08:20.552 Naturally optimistic and supportive, helping others cultivate a positive mindset, christopher Robin can practice self-compassion to ensure his own positivity and well-being. 00:08:20.552 --> 00:08:23.906 Have you figured out which character you might be. 00:08:23.906 --> 00:08:30.735 Yet Before we look into these characters a little more, I want to take a look at the science of positivity. 00:08:31.257 --> 00:08:40.100 Positive thinking refers to the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation and expecting positive outcomes. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:47.947 This mindset has been linked to numerous benefits for mental health and well-being and just overall life

satisfaction. 00:08:47.947 --> 00:09:03.308 According to Barbara Fredrickson, author and renowned psychologist at the University of North Carolina, positive emotions expand our awareness and encourage novel and varied and exploratory thoughts and actions. 00:09:03.308 --> 00:09:08.964 And varied and exploratory thoughts and actions. 00:09:08.964 --> 00:09:17.263 This theory is known as the broader and build theory and it suggests that positive emotions help build physical, intellectual and social resources that support overall well-being. 00:09:17.263 --> 00:09:23.951 She says positivity doesn't just change the contents of your mind. 00:09:23.951 --> 00:09:29.035 It widens the span of possibilities that you see. 00:09:29.035 --> 00:10:07.780 That's probably got to be up there with one of my most cherished thoughts actually that the idea that if you can look at your circumstances in life with a positive point of view, that actually acts as a filtration system of sorts that goes through our entire body and our entire way of viewing the world and experiencing the world, giving you more opportunities and possibilities in your life If you are looking at it from a very closed-minded or negative aspect doom and gloomom perspective you narrow your ability to see beyond that. 00:10:07.780 --> 00:10:10.048 All you're seeing is the dark clouds, right. 00:10:10.048 --> 00:10:17.467 So having that positive mindset is like blowing the dark clouds out of the sky and just seeing blue sky. 00:10:17.467 --> 00:10:19.331 That's how I think about it. 00:10:20.013 --> 00:10:25.952 She also explains how positivity psychology is part and parcel of psychology. 00:10:25.952 --> 00:10:31.753 Being human includes both ups and downs, and opportunities and challenges. 00:10:31.753 --> 00:10:44.697 Positive psychology devotes somewhat more attention to the ups and the opportunities, whereas traditional psychology, at least historically, has paid more attention to the downs. 00:10:44.697 --> 00:11:13.001 And I think a really good way to frame this is if you've ever been to any kind of therapy is often we tend to focus on what is going wrong, what is happening in our lives that has brought us to this place, and it's often that we're looking at things that are sad or have created trauma, or the bad things that have happened in our lives or the hard circumstances that we've found ourselves in. 00:11:13.001 --> 00:11:32.181 Whereas if we were to go into a setting like that and focus not on the hurts and the wounds that we're carrying around, but that we can focus our attentions on what is good in our life, what is great, what has been happening, that's amazing. 00:11:32.181 --> 00:11:37.993 It shifts the focus away from this kind of woe is me perspective. 00:11:37.993 --> 00:11:50.769 That can happen, especially when we're internalizing a lot of these issues, and it allows us to see beyond that hurt and beyond that pain and that suffering and it gives us something to hope for. 00:11:51.631 --> 00:12:14.534 I know for myself when I shift my focus away from oh, I'm having a hard knock life right now, when I'm able to stop that train of thought and catch myself and say hang on, sally, instead of focusing, because my mind wants to really run away with that thought, that negativity, instead of going that route and winding up feeling worse. 00:12:14.534 --> 00:12:18.659 How about we opposite spirit it? 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:23.753 How about we look at what is good that could come out of this situation? 00:12:23.753 --> 00:12:30.865 And that is a challenge and I know it's really hard and you might be sitting there thinking that's impossible, that's just not going to happen. 00:12:30.865 --> 00:12:37.645 What's happening to me is really terrible and awful and disgusting and there's no good things that can come out of that. 00:12:37.645 --> 00:12:39.370 And you might be right. 00:12:39.370 --> 00:12:43.490 I'm not going to discount what your thoughts and feelings are at the moment. 00:12:43.932 --> 00:13:12.263 I can just tell you about my perspective and my reality and my own experiences that I know, when I've chosen to look at the terrible circumstances that have happened to me and come at it from a different way of looking at it and reframing it as something as oh, what a learning experience that was, or I'm glad that I've gone through that, because it means that I can have more empathy to other people who are in similar circumstances. 00:13:12.263 --> 00:13:32.494 It's not that it's excusing the terrible, horrible, yucky things that might have happened to us or are currently happening to us, but what it says is I'm not going to give that situation or that person or that circumstance the power to dictate the rest of my life. 00:13:32.494 --> 00:13:55.726 Now, I've talked about this before and I'm not going to go into too much detail, but I've been sexually assaulted multiple times in different circumstances in my existence and if I chose to, it would be really easy to just give into that victim mentality, to give into that trauma, just give into that victim mentality, to give into that trauma from my childhood and from my young adulthood and all the decades since. 00:13:55.726 --> 00:13:57.129 But how does that serve me? 00:13:57.129 --> 00:13:58.331 It doesn't. 00:13:58.331 --> 00:14:15.285 It keeps me small, it keeps me wounded, it keeps me looking at the doom and gloom and the gray skies that are rolling in and around me and it keeps me away from having the experiences that I deserve to have and that you deserve to have. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:49.484 We often keep our lives small because of things that have happened to us, rather than seeing them as opportunities to be like yeah, that sucked, that was crap, that was bullshit, but I'm not going to let that define me and that's something that I've, but I'm not going to let that define me, and that's something that I've come to through a lot of therapy and a lot of time

spent really searching within myself and digging out some of the stuff and uncovering things that I had even forgotten were there, because your brain is so beautifully wanting to protect you, it hides it away, and so there's an uncovering that's coming. 00:14:49.484 --> 00:14:53.384 I don't want to be a victim of my circumstances. 00:14:53.384 --> 00:15:02.187 I don't want to be someone whose life goes by and passes them by and keeps them small because of things that happen to me. 00:15:02.187 --> 00:15:05.173 I have to choose a different path. 00:15:05.173 --> 00:15:17.491 I have to choose a different way, and this is what the psychology of positivity is really trying to emphasize here is that we're all going to face horrible, terrible things in our lives. 00:15:17.491 --> 00:15:18.942 None of us escape this. 00:15:18.942 --> 00:15:32.234 This is the reality of being a human being, but we also have the decisions and we have the autonomy and we have the obligation actually to say what is my choice going to be today? 00:15:32.234 --> 00:15:46.135 Am I going to wallow in my pain and my misery and my suffering, or am I going to look at it from a different perspective and say how has that made me a better human being? 00:15:46.135 --> 00:16:06.089 How has that created within me a person who has more integrity, a person who has more empathy and compassion for other people, a person who can express kindness to others and affection to others because of the circumstances I've gone through? 00:16:06.669 --> 00:16:22.364 The reality is that that negativity bias that we have a natural tendency to pull towards tells us to focus on the pain, to focus on the things that have gone wrong, that water gurgling down the drain. 00:16:22.364 --> 00:16:47.667 But if we can shift that focus and become much more intentional about looking at the things that happen to us and the circumstances that we're in with a much more intentional about looking at the things that happen to us and the circumstances that we're in with a much more positive perspective, you naturally find that begins to shift the boundaries that we've pulled around us, close to us, held tight against our bodies and our minds, and we begin to expand our horizons. 00:16:47.667 --> 00:17:10.801 That's's what she's saying that's how I interpret it anyway, and that's what I guess this is about is just trying to encourage you to stop looking at all of the things that have happened to you, no matter how shitty and terrible and traumatizing they might be, and choose to consider how can I see this with a fresh perspective? 00:17:10.801 --> 00:17:15.866 How can I see this with an intention of what is the good that has come out of this? 00:17:15.866 --> 00:17:17.932 And I know that is really hard. 00:17:18.272 --> 00:17:25.859 When you are in the middle of a sucky situation, you can't see the good because we're not trained to see the good. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:27.805 This is where I want to encourage you. 00:17:27.805 --> 00:17:37.422 If you are in a hard place right now, if there's a rock and there's a hard place and you're in the middle of it I know exactly what it's like to be there. 00:17:37.422 --> 00:17:48.528 I know we all have these experiences you can get yourself out of that rock and the hard place by choosing to focus in different ways. 00:17:48.528 --> 00:17:56.188 How can I take this shitty circumstance and see it for something meaningful, in a positive way? 00:17:56.248 --> 00:17:58.553 And I know you're probably thinking, sally, you're insane. 00:17:58.553 --> 00:17:59.762 This is too difficult. 00:17:59.762 --> 00:18:02.291 How dare you tell me how to handle my pain? 00:18:02.291 --> 00:18:07.767 How dare you tell me to ignore the despicable things that have happened to me and be happy about it. 00:18:07.767 --> 00:18:10.231 I'm not asking you to be happy about it. 00:18:10.231 --> 00:18:19.023 I'm not telling you to ignore whatever's happened to you in your past. 00:18:19.023 --> 00:18:21.450 What I'm asking you to just consider are you bringing that past into your present? 00:18:21.450 --> 00:18:28.086 Are you taking that past with you into your future and what does it actually look like? 00:18:28.086 --> 00:19:00.101 And if you find that you are drawn to this like negative cycle over and over which is where I've been at times and I don't think I'm a naturally negative person, but I've been sucked into that cycle if you're constantly coming from a viewpoint of anger or distress or pain or grief or all of the emotions that come out of a place of fear, you're keeping your life small, you're keeping yourself from being able to be in a better place. 00:19:00.101 --> 00:19:02.645 Anyway, I've gone off track. 00:19:02.645 --> 00:19:06.513 We've gone down a different part of the hundred acre wood. 00:19:06.513 --> 00:19:14.066 Let's continue on, but that's just my personal reflection and thought of in the moment as I'm speaking to you. 00:19:14.626 --> 00:19:26.910 So I want to talk about the impact on mental health and life satisfaction, and this is what I was talking about is that the correlation between positive thinking and mental health is, in my own observations, profound. 00:19:26.910 --> 00:19:36.272 When I'm practicing a positive mindset, my resilience and my ability to cope with things is much greater than when I'm not. 00:19:36.272 --> 00:19:50.871 If you've listened to any of my previous episodes, you know that I live with chronic pain conditions, and when I let my pain be all encompassing focus of my life, it distorts absolutely everything else in my existence. 00:19:50.871 --> 00:20:12.595 This leaves the door wide open for me to fall into a depression cycle, which is of course, a byproduct that in turn creates more pain, and more pain diminishes my ability to function and cope, and I'm on the merry-go-round or rather un-merry-go-round to nowhere. 00:20:12.595 --> 00:20:29.705 But when I practice positive thinking, I

experience a range of benefits, including increased happiness, reduced stress, reduced pain and inflammation, which then enhances both my emotional and my physical resilience. 00:20:30.991 --> 00:20:41.425 Martin Seligman, a leading figure in the field of positive psychology, says that optimistic individuals tend to live longer and have higher levels of life satisfaction. 00:20:41.425 --> 00:20:43.209 Doesn't that sound good? 00:20:43.209 --> 00:20:47.223 Doesn't that sound like a way to live and be? 00:20:47.223 --> 00:21:00.594 In his book Flourish, seligman discusses how positive thinking contribute to a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life, which are crucial components for overall well-being. 00:21:00.594 --> 00:21:09.474 One of my favorite quotes from Seligman is this reaching beyond where you are is really important. 00:21:09.474 --> 00:21:14.402 Beyond where you are is really important. 00:21:14.402 --> 00:21:17.847 I'm going to say that again because I want you to really hear it right here, right now. 00:21:17.847 --> 00:21:27.730 No matter what your personal situation is right in this moment, reaching beyond where you are is really important. 00:21:27.730 --> 00:21:33.500 This means that no matter where you are right now, you don't have to stay there. 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:38.028 Reaching beyond the present means having hope. 00:21:38.028 --> 00:21:48.112 It gives you permission to have a belief that your life can be better, can be more than the circumstances of the now. 00:21:48.112 --> 00:22:07.851 At least, that is how I understand it, and for me, this sentence serves to remind me that, no matter how bleak my current situation may appear or feel, or even actually be, that it doesn't mean it's the full stop at the end of the sentence of this moment in my life. 00:22:07.851 --> 00:22:20.192 Reaching beyond is applying hope and trusting that this too shall pass, and having hope is critical for transforming your mindset. 00:22:21.636 --> 00:22:30.403 To better understand our approach to positivity, I've created a fun personality test that is based on the characters from the Winnie the Pooh books. 00:22:30.403 --> 00:22:48.583 Here on the podcast, I'm going to share the first of five of the 20 questions just to get you started and a little bit of a taster, and the rest of the questions and more in-depth insights into each character type can be found on the Reverse Reset Restore website as a blog and I'll link that in the show notes for you. 00:22:48.583 --> 00:22:56.509 So right now, let's see if we can discover your approach to positivity by answering the following questions. 00:22:56.509 --> 00:23:04.943 Keep track of your letter choices and find out which beloved Winnie the Pooh character you most resemble right now. 00:23:04.943 --> 00:23:07.145 Winnie the Pooh character you most resemble right now. 00:23:07.165 --> 00:23:09.890 Number one how do you react to setbacks? 00:23:09.890 --> 00:23:28.734 A. 00:23:28.734 --> 00:23:29.996 I tend to expect the worst and assume things won't work out. 00:23:29.996 --> 00:23:30.135 C. 00:23:30.135 --> 00:23:31.176 I accept it as a part of life and move on. 00:23:31.176 --> 00:23:31.356 D. 00:23:31.356 --> 00:23:34.861 I worry a lot and feel anxious about what went wrong. 00:23:34.861 --> 00:23:36.082 E. 00:23:36.082 --> 00:23:40.585 I analyze the situation carefully to understand it better. 00:23:40.585 --> 00:23:41.665 F. 00:23:41.665 --> 00:23:47.451 I get frustrated but try to create a plan to fix things. 00:23:47.451 --> 00:23:52.914 G. 00:23:52.914 --> 00:23:54.836 I encourage myself and others to learn from the experience. 00:23:54.836 --> 00:24:00.661 Number two when faced with a challenge, what is your first thought? 00:24:00.661 --> 00:24:01.922 A. 00:24:01.922 --> 00:24:04.403 This probably won't work out for me. 00:24:04.403 --> 00:24:05.443 B. 00:24:05.443 --> 00:24:07.085 This is exciting. 00:24:07.085 --> 00:24:08.185 I'll figure it out. 00:24:08.185 --> 00:24:09.346 C. 00:24:09.346 --> 00:24:11.949 Let's take this one step at a time. 00:24:11.949 --> 00:24:13.210 D. 00:24:13.210 --> 00:24:16.132 Oh no, what if I mess up? 00:24:16.132 --> 00:24:22.366 E. 00:24:22.366 --> 00:24:23.834 Let me think this through carefully. 00:24:23.834 --> 00:24:24.434 F. 00:24:24.434 --> 00:24:25.297 I need a plan. 00:24:25.297 --> 00:24:26.420 Things should be structured. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.460 G. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.724 I believe we can work together to make this better. 00:24:33.555 --> 00:24:35.137 Question number three how do you handle uncertainty? 00:24:35.137 --> 00:24:35.178 A. 00:24:35.178 --> 00:24:37.500 I assume something bad will happen. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.623 B. 00:24:38.623 --> 00:24:41.867 I don't worry about it, I just go with the flow. 00:24:41.867 --> 00:24:50.134 C. 00:24:50.134 --> 00:24:51.597 I try to stay present and enjoy what's in front of me. 00:24:51.597 --> 00:24:51.637 D. 00:24:51.637 --> 00:24:53.721 I feel uneasy and overthink worst case scenarios. 00:24:53.721 --> 00:24:53.842 E. 00:24:53.842 --> 00:24:58.128 I research and analyze everything before making decisions. 00:24:58.128 --> 00:24:59.154 F. 00:24:59.154 --> 00:25:02.119 I try to keep things organized and reduce unknowns. 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:07.167 Or G I reassure myself and others that we'll find a way. 00:25:08.068 --> 00:25:12.078 Question number four how do you encourage others? 00:25:12.078 --> 00:25:13.320 A. 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:17.449 I don't always know what to say, but I try to be there for them. 00:25:17.449 --> 00:25:18.654 B. 00:25:18.654 --> 00:25:21.759 I bring energy and excitement to cheer them up. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.040 C. 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:27.086 I offer simple, kind words of reassurance. 00:25:27.086 --> 00:25:28.326 D. 00:25:28.326 --> 00:25:31.855 I worry for them but try to be supportive. 00:25:31.855 --> 00:25:33.037 E. 00:25:33.037 --> 00:25:36.623 I share advice and logical

solutions. 00:25:36.623 --> 00:25:37.924 F. 00:25:37.924 --> 00:25:41.549 I help them by making a plan to improve things. 00:25:41.549 --> 00:25:42.816 G. 00:25:42.816 --> 00:25:46.623 I remind them of their strengths and build them up. 00:25:47.704 --> 00:25:50.957 Question number five what makes you happiest? 00:25:50.957 --> 00:25:51.940 A. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:55.166 A peaceful moment to reflect, even if I'm a little down. 00:25:55.166 --> 00:25:56.328 B. 00:25:56.328 --> 00:25:59.855 Fun adventure and doing something exciting. 00:25:59.855 --> 00:26:01.178 C. 00:26:01.178 --> 00:26:05.604 Enjoying small pleasures like a good meal or a warm day. 00:26:05.604 --> 00:26:06.605 D. 00:26:06.605 --> 00:26:09.829 Feeling safe, secure, supported. 00:26:09.829 --> 00:26:14.335 E. 00:26:14.335 --> 00:26:15.237 Learning something new and solving problems. 00:26:15.237 --> 00:26:15.297 F. 00:26:15.297 --> 00:26:18.201 Having everything go according to plan. 00:26:18.201 --> 00:26:19.784 G. 00:26:19.784 --> 00:26:22.509 Helping and uplifting others. 00:26:28.295 --> 00:26:28.957 Okay, time to tally your results. 00:26:28.957 --> 00:26:30.420 And again, remember these are just five of 20 questions. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:35.955 I want you to count how many times you picked each letter and find your most frequent response. 00:26:35.955 --> 00:27:04.905 So if you got mostly A's Eeyore, the gloomy pessimist, mostly B's was Tigger, the enthusiastic optimist, mostly C's Pooh Bear, the content realist, mostly D's Piglet, the anxious warrior, mostly E's Owl, the wise thinker, mostly F's Rabbit, the organized planner, and mostly G's Christopher Robin, the compassionate leader. 00:27:05.798 --> 00:27:08.297 Did you figure out what personality type you are? 00:27:08.297 --> 00:27:13.095 Now, if you've got a mix of answers, you might be a blend of two or more characters. 00:27:13.095 --> 00:27:16.242 Sometimes I feel like I'm a blend of all of them, and that's okay. 00:27:16.242 --> 00:27:33.025 If you want to delve deeper to work out your character type, I do recommend that you head over to the Reverse, reset, restore website to complete our full quiz of 20 questions and read the tips for transforming your mindset using the wisdom of the 100 Acre Wood. 00:27:33.025 --> 00:27:37.205 I'd love to hear what character most resembles your thinking. 00:27:37.205 --> 00:27:52.586 So do let me know by heading over to the Reverse Reset Restore Facebook or Instapage or threads and tagging me in the comment, or use a GIF of your character as a bit of a visual clue there, and you can also text me right here on the podcast as well. 00:27:53.247 --> 00:28:00.388 No matter which character you've aligned with, remember that positivity is a mindset that you can cultivate. 00:28:00.388 --> 00:28:09.369 I think each of us can be any of these characters, so, no matter what frame of mind you find yourself in, there is a way to change that. 00:28:09.369 --> 00:28:16.795 Here is a tip for you to consider for each character type, and again, I explore this in greater detail in the blog post. 00:28:16.795 --> 00:28:22.768 So, if you're an Eeyore, challenge those negative thoughts with small moments of gratitude. 00:28:22.768 --> 00:28:28.768 If you're a Tigger, balance enthusiasm with mindfulness and patience. 00:28:28.768 --> 00:28:35.105 If you're a poo bear, embrace life's simple joys and stay open to growth. 00:28:35.105 --> 00:28:41.980 If you're a piglet, remind yourself of your courage and practice self-reassurance. 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:49.211 If you're an owl, let go of over-analyzing and enjoy the present moment. 00:28:49.211 --> 00:28:55.586 If you're a rabbit, practice flexibility and appreciation for the process. 00:28:55.586 --> 00:29:08.567 If you're a Christopher Robin, don't forget to give yourself the kindness you give to others, because I always like to give people some practical ways in which to help them. 00:29:08.567 --> 00:29:19.346 Here are a few examples of what you can do to cultivate positivity in your day-to-day life Gratitude journaling, learning from Pooh, bear and Piglet. 00:29:20.109 --> 00:29:31.104 We've talked a lot about gratitude journaling in previous episodes and, in fact, even dedicated episodes to this practice, because it is a powerful technique for fostering a positive mindset. 00:29:31.104 --> 00:29:46.548 By regularly writing down things you're thankful for, you train your brain to focus on the positive aspects of your life, and studies have shown that practicing gratitude can significantly increase happiness and reduce feelings of depression. 00:29:46.548 --> 00:29:50.346 So why wouldn't you want to make this a daily habit? 00:29:50.346 --> 00:30:04.968 Just like Pooh, bear finds joys in simple pleasures and honeypots, and Piglet feels reassured by small victories, gratitude journaling can help you cultivate a steady, positive approach to life. 00:30:04.968 --> 00:30:18.097 Visualization exercises, taking a cue from Tigger and Owl Visualization exercises involve imagining a positive future scenario in vivid detail. 00:30:18.097 --> 00:30:23.669 This technique can enhance your optimism and motivate you to achieve your goals. 00:30:23.669 --> 00:30:34.088 Research from the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that visualizing successful outcomes can increase confidence and performance. 00:30:34.088 --> 00:30:43.079 We've talked about this previously as well, including creating a visualization board to help keep your ideal future right up in your face. 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:48.269 Like tickers boundless enthusiasm and owls wise insights. 00:30:48.269 --> 00:30:55.566 Visualization can help you see the possibilities and motivate you to bounce back from setbacks. 00:30:56.234 --> 00:31:01.364 Surround yourself with positive influences, following Christopher Robin's lead. 00:31:01.364 --> 00:31:06.166 The people we spend time with can greatly influence our mindset. 00:31:06.166 -->

00:31:13.729 Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive individuals can help foster a more optimistic outlook. 00:31:13.729 --> 00:31:18.165 According to a study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 00:31:18.165 --> 00:31:23.428 Having positive social interactions is linked to higher levels of well-being. 00:31:23.428 --> 00:31:34.884 If you find yourself being emotionally drained with every interaction you have with some people, it might be a good time to reflect on whether that relationship is helping you or hindering you. 00:31:35.356 --> 00:32:02.642 It's actually okay to want to surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you, and if you need that reminder today, here it is Cut off the people in your life that make you feel like garbage or keep you small or have you second guessing yourself or you feel gaslit every conversation or you leave their presence with a sigh of relief and a heaviness in your heart because it hasn't been a positive experience. 00:32:02.642 --> 00:32:04.686 Why have that in your life? 00:32:04.686 --> 00:32:05.517 Life is hard enough. 00:32:05.517 --> 00:32:13.541 Surround yourself instead with people who will inspire you, who will encourage you, who will love you for you. 00:32:13.541 --> 00:32:15.205 That's what I've been working on. 00:32:15.205 --> 00:32:16.430 In the last few years. 00:32:16.430 --> 00:32:30.865 I've cut a lot of people out of my life who I felt like I always had to be the person that was there to support and entertain and keep them happy and, as a consequence, I have obviously a lot less people in my life. 00:32:30.865 --> 00:32:45.565 But the people I am beginning to really surround myself with are like-minded people who love me for me, who aren't in it to get anything out of it other than just mutual appreciation for each other, and that has really helped. 00:32:45.565 --> 00:32:51.481 That has been a really big source of my personal journey of healing and self-development. 00:32:52.505 --> 00:32:56.862 Understanding negativity bias a lesson from Eeyore and Rabbit. 00:32:56.862 --> 00:33:18.137 So negativity bias, which is another topic we've talked about in past episodes, is the brain's natural tendency to focus on negative experiences rather than positive ones, and this is an evolutionary trait which helped our ancestors survive by paying more attention to the threats that could be around them. 00:33:18.137 --> 00:33:24.384 However, in modern life, this bias can tend to lead to an overly pessimistic outlook. 00:33:24.384 --> 00:33:29.211 Yes, eeyores of the world, I am looking at you. 00:33:29.211 --> 00:33:32.320 So Eeyores often struggle with this bias. 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:35.387 They focus on the negative aspects of situations. 00:33:35.387 --> 00:33:41.227 They are the glass is not only half filled, but may not even see the glass at all. 00:33:41.227 --> 00:33:44.181 They are so caught up in whatever is happening around them. 00:33:44.181 --> 00:33:54.500 Rabbit, on the other hand, can become stressed when things don't go as planned, and their need for control can have them feeling like they are spiraling along with the world. 00:33:54.500 --> 00:34:01.201 So understanding and addressing negativity bias is crucial for shifting towards a positive mindset. 00:34:01.803 --> 00:34:07.356 To overcome negativity bias, it's essential to practice techniques that encourage positive thinking. 00:34:07.356 --> 00:34:14.081 Mindfulness, for example, can help you become more aware of your thoughts and redirect them in a positive direction. 00:34:14.081 --> 00:34:19.402 Mindfulness practices can reduce negative thinking patterns and increase overall well-being. 00:34:19.402 --> 00:34:25.409 I've got a number of mindfulness exercises in past episodes and over on the Reverse Reset Restore YouTube channel. 00:34:25.409 --> 00:34:31.327 There are mindfulness exercises that you can try which can help you stay present and focus on the positives in your life. 00:34:31.327 --> 00:34:41.619 So Al's wisdom and Pooh Bear's balanced approach exemplify how mindfulness can help you appreciate the moment and find joy in everyday experiences. 00:34:42.681 --> 00:34:59.152 Reframing involves changing the way you interpret negative experiences to see them in a more positive light, and this cognitive restructuring technique can help reduce stress and increase resilience because it asks you to look at the situation in a different way. 00:34:59.152 --> 00:35:07.228 Instead of thinking this is a disaster, reframe your thought to this is an opportunity to learn and grow. 00:35:07.228 --> 00:35:21.487 Piglet's courage in the face of anxiety and Tigger's relentless optimism show how reframing negative thoughts or experiences can lead to personal growth and a more positive outlook. 00:35:21.487 --> 00:35:34.646 Winnie the Pooh's unwavering contentment and enjoyment of life's small pleasures, like that honey, teach us about the power of appreciating the present moment. 00:35:34.646 --> 00:35:43.539 Tigger's boundless enthusiasm reminds us to embrace life with energy and a positive outlook, even when faced with difficulties. 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:56.737 Eeyore, despite his natural tendency towards doom and gloom, shows us the value of community and how support from friends can help one find light in dark times. 00:35:57.237 --> 00:36:08.248 Piglet's journey from anxiety to courage highlights the transformative power of self-compassion and the importance of taking small steps towards positivity. 00:36:08.248 --> 00:36:16.684 Al's wisdom underscores the role of mindfulness and thoughtful reflection in cultivating a positive mindset. 00:36:16.684 --> 00:36:32.067 Rabbit's organized approach demonstrates how planning and flexibility can lead to a balanced perspective, while Christopher Robin's nurturing presence exemplifies the impact of a supportive and empathetic leader. 00:36:32.067 --> 00:36:45.148 Together, these characters and their adventures illustrate that a positive mindset is not about ignoring challenges, but about facing them with hope and support and resilience. 00:36:45.148 --> 00:36:58.460 Through their stories, we learn that self transformation is achievable when we embrace positivity, nurture our relationships and remain open to the lessons that life offers. 00:36:59.422 --> 00:37:13.048 Positive thinking has the power to transform your mindset significantly, enhance your mental health, your physical well-being, your experiences and your overall life satisfaction. 00:37:13.048 --> 00:37:28.775 By understanding the science of positivity, by practicing techniques like journaling and visualization and mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with positive influences, you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook. 00:37:28.775 --> 00:37:34.547 Like I said before, positivity isn't about pretending everything is perfect. 00:37:34.547 --> 00:37:48.231 It's about knowing that, no matter what life is throwing your way, that you have the strength, you have the wisdom, you have the resilience, you have the courage to keep going. 00:37:48.231 --> 00:38:06.347 So, whether you're an Eeyore working on seeing the silver linings, or a Tigger learning to balance excitement with mindfulness, or a poo simply enjoying life's little moments, remember that you have the power to shape your mindset. 00:38:06.907 --> 00:38:21.746 May the hundred acre woods and its diverse and supportive characters that we know and love serve to remind you that, no matter your personality type, positivity is something you can cultivate and apply to your life. 00:38:21.746 --> 00:38:25.161 Thank you for joining me today on reverse reset restore if Restore. 00:38:25.161 --> 00:38:33.518 If you loved this episode, don't forget to follow and subscribe, and head over to the blog for the full personality quiz and the extra tips. 00:38:33.518 --> 00:38:39.336 We'll finish off with perhaps the most famous quote to come out of the hundred acre woods. 00:38:39.336 --> 00:38:58.356 This is from the character Christopher Robin himself, and I hope that you take it to heart, because it is an absolute truth no matter who you are, you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. 00:38:58.356 --> 00:39:13.135 Thank you.