Here are some practical, day-to-day tips to help trick yourself into thinking more positively:

1. Set Positive Reminders: Use sticky notes or phone reminders with positive messages and affirmations. Place them where you’ll see them throughout the day, like on your bathroom mirror or computer monitor.
2. Practice Mindful Breathing: Whenever you catch yourself slipping into negative thoughts, pause and take a few deep breaths. Focus solely on your breathing for a minute to reset your mind.
3. Replace Negative Thoughts: Actively challenge and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. For example, if you think “I can’t do this,” immediately replace it with “I’ll do my best and learn from this experience.”
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate even the smallest successes each day. This could be completing a task you’ve been putting off or managing to get up on time—acknowledge and reward yourself.
5. Limit Negative Inputs: Be mindful of the content you consume and the conversations you engage in. Avoid dwelling on news or social media that drags you down, and try to steer conversations towards more uplifting topics.