When you think of your well-being what comes to mind? Perhaps having healthy mind, a healthy body or even striving for ‘work-life balance’.  While these things all matter, Psychologist’s refer to well-being as an umbrella term for having positive relationships, positive emotion, meaning, accomplishment and health. When we invest in each of these areas, we experience high levels of well-being.

Positive emotions are often one people tend to neglect. Thinking about positive emotions, what are you doing to boost yours?

One of my favourite sayings in psychology is “bad is stronger than good”.  Imagine a typical work day, you are enjoying your day until your boss gives you a piece of feedback you aren’t too happy with. You come home and unload on your partner. Do you a) focus on the 99% that is good b) focus on the 1% that was bad?

We are masters are focusing on the bad and ignoring the good. We are experts are being drawn down by the one small thing that set us back rather than the five good things that could propel us forward. This unfortunately is human behaviour and our brains are wired for this. The problem is, without effort we avoid boosting our positive emotions and can end up feeling flat and defeated by the small percentage of bad things that happen. Yet with a little effort and the right guidance we can intentionally experience more positive emotions and work towards achieving greater well-being.

Here’s three simple ways to boost your positive emotions:

1.Be kind.

There is a reason ‘random acts of kindness’ is a movement, not just a saying. Being kind empowers the giver, has a positive effect on the receiver and like a ripple it spreads. But often with everyone so busy, gratitude slips.  So the first and most simple way to boost your well-being is to be intentionally kind. Open a door for someone, buy someone a coffee or sit and pick up the phone and call your Grandma.

2.Three Good Things. Be thankful.

There are many names for this exercise. But the job itself is simple, for six weeks every night write down three things you are thankful for. This will improve your mood and start to re-train your mind to focus on what is good not what isn’t.

3.Move

It’s true, getting out and exercising will boost your mood. So instead of sitting on the lounge tonight, or sleeping in tomorrow take 30-minutes and go for a walk. You will feel the lift in your mood and energy.