Positive Thinking Exercises For Students
positive thinking exercises for students
Positive thinking, as we all know is a must if one has to live a constructive life. It is a well established fact that a positive mindset not only keeps us motivated, but also is good for our overall health. Unfortunately, we are usually surrounded by negativity from all around. Be it through media, social media, or life situations, but we encounter negativity very often. Some people are able to control their mindset, while some get burnt with negative emotions. However, regardless of what life shows us, we have the power to keep our inner state under our control. This is what strength means, wherein we remain unaffected by the external world. Therefore, in this article we will offer you several positive thinking exercises for students, and also positive thinking exercises for the workplace. Let us unite together to create a more positive world.
For students
Gone are the days when negative emotions only used to affect adults. Unfortunately, now the situation is such, that even young students often face emotional problems. Problems like stress, anxiety, insomnia and so on have started to plague our society at large. Do you know why this happens? This is simply happening because we do not devote enough time to our mental well being.
We often remain limited to what we can see, and hence ignore the inner world that often breaks us. We cannot forget that in today’s competitive world, students are most prone to negativity, as thoughts about future often stress them. However, the good news is, just like how negativity is generated, likewise we can shift our inner environment. Below are some simple positive thinking exercises for students that will ease them from within instantly. (Read: Education positive thoughts)
Acknowledge negativity game
Ever heard of the popular saying: what we resist persists? Yes this is absolutely true that what we resist the most is what we experience the most. Do you know why this happens? This happens because when we are resisting something, we are actually thinking about it, and giving it our attention. Isn’t that strange?
However, if we stop resisting negativity, then immediately we withdraw our attention from it, and they make such thoughts powerless. The human psychology works in strange ways, and unfortunately, most of us do things which actually, do more harm than good, like forced positive thinking.
To do this exercise, simply:
- Close your eyes
- Within yourself, shout out to your mind: “give me all the negativity you have”
Boom, immediately you will feel that your thoughts have subsided.
The losing game
Do you know why people love sleeping? Simply because, their thoughts subside, and they feel well rested physically and psychologically. But why do people get rid of their limiting thoughts in sleep? You will be shocked to know that we lose our thoughts in sleep because; we lose our sense of self, which is the root of thinking. Yes you heard us right, our sense of self is an idea, a thought we hold in our mind, that is why it is often said: “I think therefore I’m.” Hence without thinking, we cannot even introduce ourselves.
That is why in spiritual traditions, one is suggested to be a devote: which means, being “devoid of oneself.” However, in today’s world, it is impossible to drop ourselves when we are bombarded with concept like self-love, self-respect and so on. However, we can get close to losing ourselves by serving others.
- This is a simple game, wherein students need to do something for their friend, and friends. It could be a gift, some help, or random acts of kindness. If this exercise is done with people whom the students don’t know, then it is even better.
Breath-work
Do you know that the way we think is the way we breathe? Yes, that is why, an anxious and negative mind makes our breath slow and rapid. However, we forget that also the way we breathe is the way we think; hence we can change our mindset, through our breath.
It is scientifically established that when our exhale is longer than our inhale, then it helps to create an inner equilibrium.
To do so, we recommend students to practice the 4-6-7-2 breath-work. This means, students need to inhale to the count of 4, hold to the count pf 6, exhale for 7 seconds, and then hold for 2 seconds. This process needs to be done for at least 10 minutes to see visible results. (Read: How to meditate with eyes open)
Positive thinking exercises for the workplace
Nobody can deny the fact, that workplaces often are full of negative emotions. There are deadlines to meet, clients to follow up with, targets to complete, and in this race, comes negative emotions. However, regardless of what is happening in the workplace, something can always be done to change things. Therefore, we are going to explore some exercises that will help generate positive environment in the work place.
All ears session game
Although it is not good, but we are least concerned about others. This is because; we all are so badly caught up in our own problems. We all have a family to feed, bills to pay, fees to deposit, and in this process, we become overly self-centered. This self-centeredness is one of the main reasons, why negativity prevails in a workplace. Employees don’t see others as humans facing the same problems, but as competition. However, if we get to know the deep problems one is going through, then it can ease up our own inner tension. This is because, compassion is contagious, and when we feel compassion for others, it frees us from worries too.
- To do this, simply create pairs of two, and instruct employees to share their problems with one another.
- For best results, allow them to speak their heart out. No filter!
The secret letter game
Do you know why sharing problems helps? Because they provide an outlet to our negative thoughts. However, most of us refrain from sharing our emotions, because it is seen as a sign of weakness. Although the truth is, such outlook for sure makes us weak from within, don’t know if it’s a sign of weakness. Most people refrain from sharing, because they fear the being judged, however, we do not realize that if we speak our hearts out, things just melt away. And what’s even better, we can do that anonymously through this exercise.
- In this game, just ask all your employees to write their heart out on a piece of paper without mentioning their name
- Now, ask every employee to read one letter one by one, loud and clear.
Just by knowing what others are going through will help build an atmosphere of love and support in the workplace. People tend to forget their problems, when they are knowing problems of others. (Read: Worlds most powerful doctor)
Conclusion
There are times when because of circumstances, we turn negative, and sometimes, being negative becomes our habit. However, we must remember that what happens within us, is totally under our control. Regardless of what happens around us, but what happens within us, is totally our choice.
It makes complete sense to keep ourselves pleasant from within, because, we cannot spread happiness, if we are not happy within. We must always remember, that positivity is not a chance, but a choice, and we must choose it.
We hope that you liked our article on: positive thinking exercises for students, and positive thinking exercises for the workplace. Do let us know in the comments if you are aware of more exercises.
FAQs
How to teach positive thinking to students?
Teaching positive thinking to someone young like students, could be challenging. However, simple tools can be employed which will help them shift their inner environment.
- Gratitude: shifting from complaining to gratitude immediately shifts our thought process. This is because, gratitude allows us to appreciate life and bring our focus on how much god has given us.
- Acknowledge negativity: the biggest reason for negative thoughts is, we resist them. Because we are constantly resisting them, hence we end up giving them all our attention and power. Therefore, we end up having more negative thoughts. If we simply allow all negativity to come to us, we will immediately be free from it. Try it out yourself.
