A Positive Thinking Exercise
What does your age really mean?
Age might be “just a number” but can you think of any advantages to being the age you are, with the life experience you have gained?
Example: Things I like about being my age are:
I find I handle stress better- I don’t get as upset anymore
I don’t get as bothered by “the little things” in life
I really know myself, and what I value
I accept myself more than when I was younger
I am accept others more, handle differences better
I make better decisions in general
I have more leisure time, time for myself
I know what I enjoy and make time for pleasure and enjoyment
I love being a grandparent
Since retirement I have more time for friends and for exercise
Positive thinking is so important, but we can get caught up in the negatives instead!
Example: Things I am grateful for:
My family
Sunny days
My health
I was able to decorate my house the way I like
My opportunity to attend school.
My sense of humour
Being able to tell stories about the places I have been and the things I have done
My good friend Janet
My closeness with my grandchildren
The book I am reading
The adventures I have had
Chocolate
It turns out that our happiness can increase when our daily actions line up closely with our values.
Changing behaviors can be a challenge-we tend to keep following old habits, even the ones that are not healthy. One way to make a change is to think about we value most in life-then we can see if our actions match up to our beliefs.
Example: What I value most in life:
Spending time with my family
My health
Being kind to others
Being with my friends
