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How to face the new year with positive energy
Psychology
The psychologist and doctor in Neuroscience Ana Asensio reveals some of the resources and tools that can help start 2021 full of light and positive attitude
Although for some people the “hateful” (or put the adjective that best describes it in your case) 2020 has been a stirring, revealing and illuminating year about their weaknesses and strengths, for other people it has been a wasteful year and characterized by the boredom, the demotivation and the lack of plans o expectations. But with the start of a new year, something moves within us and invites us to interpret those two steps backwards (or more) that we have taken in the year of the pandemic as a way to “get a run on” and move forward with more force.
Of course, making this interpretation requires first laying a solid foundation, as explained by the psychologist and doctor in Neuroscience, Ana Asensio. On the one hand, the expert invites us to connect with the feeling that we have developed a return to essential values, as useful for happiness as gratitude esperanza Trust patience and the generosity. On the other, it raises the need to take a tour of what we have learned in 2020 to understand that many of the moments that we have experienced also leave us with great life learning.
Looking ahead to next year, he points out that our purposes they will have to be realistic and depend primarily on us. «Remember that the only thing that depends on you is your attitude And if you focus on developing it, you have many points to live a really happy life, ”he advises.
But those realistic purposes do not imply that we cannot continue dreaming, continue being children and continue having illusions, but that we simply have to be open to changes in plans and the necessary flexibility to adapt to what life is offering us.
Keys to attitude change
- 1. Be aware that I want a change in attitude and also that I choose to do so: “I realize it.”
- 2. Make the decision to change your attitude: “I want to.”
- 3. Determine what I want to change and where I want to focus my attitude: “I know what I want or don’t want.”
- 4. Show intention and will in it: “I’m going to do it.”
- 5. Make a plan: “I know how I’m going to do it.”
- 6. Take action with a plan that helps me reorient that look at the world that I want to have: “I do.”
- 7. I congratulate myself on this: “I take care of myself and I love myself.”
And what about postponed plans?
As Asensio explains, in this context it is necessary (and perhaps vital) to get used to this way of life, more present, with short-term projects and with the variable “change of plans” in our life with a greater acceptance and normality that we had never experienced until now.
This paradigm shift is a real challenge, as he clarifies, but it also opens infinite doors to flexible and the possibilities of life. «How many times did we have the idea of one thing and when we changed plans something wonderful has happened to us! How many times have those things that arise from improvisation been the most enjoyed, without expectations, with dedication to the present moment and with openness! », Says Asensio. For the psychologist, live short term It does not mean that we cannot plan or that we allow ourselves to be carried away by chaos or free will, but rather that we change the static plan for possibility or desire, always keeping in mind that there is the possibility that something changes and not because of that ends the world.
How to manage stress and anxiety
From the physiological point of view, Asensio affirms that the three tools that can most help to manage the Stress and the anxiety, and to deactivate those constant thoughts that lead us to ruminate on future events and past memories, are the breathing meditation and the relaxation. “Each of them have useful variants and each person must find which one is the best for him or the one that benefits him the most,” he clarifies.
It is also possible to manage stress from the realm of thought so that the positive dominates the negative. This means, according to the psychologist, that the thinking that surrounds our heads must be oriented towards solutions and towards the attitudes that will benefit us instead of being catastrophic and fearful.
Companies that relaciones with other people and our life habits They can also help, because we have to assess whether what we are doing detracts from our health or, on the contrary, what we do in our life (food, exercise, rest, personal relationships, hobbies …) brings us well-being or not.
time management, the key
- Be aware of the time we have on a daily basis.
- Be aware of what I want to do with my time each day, determine what is important to each one.
- Have a “notebook of life”, and write on paper everything that goes around the head, so that we can free it of the “I must”, “should”, “I should …” and thus avoid phrases such as ” he doesn’t give me life “for phrases like” this week I don’t have it scheduled. “
- Distinguish the urgent from the important or the priority.
- Make a list of priorities and a priority per day, calmly, without stressing the schedule.
- Make a realistic, friendly and productive day structure where we include from work to time for ourselves, love calls, sports, family … and sleep.
- Be kind and respectful with yourself and with the personal value of time.