Have you ever caught yourself thinking: “Am I a good person?“. The answer is quite relative, after all, it depends on the point of view — a dear and close friend may answer yes, for example, while a ex-affair (whose ending was not cool at all) may disagree.
Psychology has long sought to define which actions are seen by most people as typical of someone with good character. These are simple attitudes that can improve our well-being, according to the Psychology Today.
Am I a good person? 9 signs of genuine kindness
- Have empathy and be understanding;
- Be sincere;
- Be trustworthy and honest;
- Be realistic;
- Do not judge;
- Have faith in humanity;
- Give thanks often;
- Be coherent;
- Prefer relationships to material things;
- Know how to forgive and ask for forgiveness;
- Always wanting to improve.
How to be a better person?
Thinking positive can influence – a lot – your life. Proof of this was the finding that researchers at Harvard University, in the United States, made.
They discovered, nothing more and nothing less, that optimistic women have a lower risk of developing a range of cancers, infections and heart disease.
So, for you to join this wave of positivity and boost your health, we spoke to two experts and brought together different tips you can put into practice.
Set realistic goals
Much of the negativity that surrounds us has to do with frustrated expectations. Therefore, the ideal is to think on your feet and plan dreams that are within your reach. By setting realistic, short-term goals, you are able to recognize your own success along the way. “The accomplished goal brings with it more motivation, more desire and, consequently, more positive thoughts”, explains Marilena Bigoto, a psychologist specializing in human development at Espaço Elaborado para o Desenvolvimento e Essência do Being, in São Paulo.
Think positive at least three times a day
Our way of thinking is defined during childhood and adolescence. I.e, When we become adults we end up following the same pattern automatically. – and our natural tendency is to focus on the negative (this comes from the beginning, when man became accustomed to preparing for the worst in order to increase his chances of survival).
To break this cycle it is necessary establish a new habit and repeat it over and over again. So set aside time in your day to reflect on the good things that are happening to you.
“The habit of thinking daily about small actions that worked is capable of propelling us towards more achievements”, he says. Yuri Businpsychologist at the Mental Health Care Center – Equilíbrio, in São Paulo. Repeat between 3 and 6 times a day to break the negative cycle.
Diversify your routine
Our brain is programmed to enjoy the rewards of life. But if these rewards begin to occupy a routine role, our gray matter stops releasing dopamine (a substance linked to motivation) in these situations. The solution? Explore different experiences.
“Human beings are complex and like different experiences. Allow yourself, vibrate, perform and conquer different forms of pleasure. The moment we start to value different things, colors and pleasures, we see life in a positive and pleasurable way”, teaches Marilena.
