Why shifting your attitude can be challenging.

How we think or feel about someone or something is typically reflected in our behavior. It is defined as attitude. We can have a negative or positive attitude towards something. Interestingly, the various brain areas involved are differently connected in a negative attitude and a positive attitude. This may also be why having a positive or negative attitude affects our health and wellbeing. Shifting from a negative to a positive attitude is challenging because it means that we have to rewire our brains. Great news, it is possible. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and to create new neural connections. So, yes we can change. 

It has been assumed that attitude is what creates our behavior, but recent research has shown that the opposite is also true: our behavior and lifestyle choices can influence and change the structures inside our brain.

If you have struggled with changing your attitude by solely trying to rethink, then maybe approach it by implementing new behaviors and intentionally making positive lifestyle changes.

Rewire Your Attitude:

Strategy #1: Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude has been shown to rewire the brain. It helps regulate emotions, increases happiness, and reduces stress, just to name a few benefits.

Strategy #2: Implement Habits

Implementing health habits such as taking breaks, having a healthy diet, and exercising, stimulate areas of the brain (vagus nerve, amygdala, frontal cortex) that are also important for a positive attitude.

Strategy #3: Morning and Evening Routine

Having a good morning and evening routine is vital. Setting intentions, planning, and mindset work in the morning is as important as journaling about the day in the evening. In the science-based planner that I created, all of these components are integrated to stay on track and keep a positive attitude. See below if you would like to get your own copy.