Article

Positive mental attitude: Four books to help deal with your inner critic

20 February 2023

5-minute read

Feature Mental health Feel Well

A positive mental attitude helps build emotional resilience. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Health professionals encourage nurturing a positive mental attitude, which is key to life satisfaction. Positive thinking makes you more confident in turning challenges into opportunities. It helps you navigate adversities without giving in to hopelessness.

A positive mindset doesn't happen overnight. Many people practice daily habits like meditation to quiet the negative self-talk. Others turn to books and re-read passages to become mindful of anxious thoughts. The following four books can help silence your inner critic.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is a classic self-help book on the life-changing power of a positive mental attitude. Originally published in 1952, its teachings still hold true and continue to be popular today.

This timeless classic discusses how thoughts can shape your life. It contains practical instructions, insights and guidance on achieving an optimistic attitude using affirmations and visualisations. By mastering the mind and how you think, you can take control of your destiny and transform your life for the better.

Peale's book is a great place to start if you are serious about "changing your thoughts and changing your world".

How to tackle an "impossible" thing: "When something seems impossible, don't give up. Instead, affirm to yourself: 'All things are possible. This is possible. This can be done'. Trust in the unseen, and relax, knowing that things are unfolding for you even if you can't see them yet."

Banish Your Inner Critic by Denise Jacobs

Research agrees that what you think and how you think affects your physical and mental wellbeing, influencing how you handle yourself and others. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Self-defeating thoughts can kill your self-esteem and keep you from achieving your life goals. Banish Your Inner Critic teaches you how to put your inner critic in their place and silence the self-doubt.

"By giving the inner critic less of our bandwidth…we take back our creative power. From this place of reclaimed creative power, we can go after even bigger challenges."

Drawing upon the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, self-compassion and mindfulness, Jacobs's book is packed with DIY techniques. The techniques help you free yourself from criticism, build a positive mental attitude and achieve success in all areas of your life.

How to deal with self-criticism: "Every time you realise you are judging yourself, pause, breathe, comfort and reassure yourself, the same as you would with a friend in need."

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport

"Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It's a way of entering the quiet that is already there – buried."

This book is ideal for people who feel overwhelmed by negative thinking and are new to meditation and mindfulness techniques.

Declutter your Mind provides a step-by-step guide on performing focused deep breathing and meditation. It will teach you to use mindfulness techniques to reframe your mindset and build a positive attitude.

How to breathe: "Pay attention to your breathing throughout the day. The way we breathe directly connects to the way we think. Have you ever noticed? When you feel anxious, stressed or overwhelmed, your breathing becomes shallow and superficial. Practise slow and deep breathing to quiet your inner dialogue and anchor yourself in the present moment."

The Power of Neuroplasticity by Shad Helmstetter

Practice reciting mantras for a positive mental attitude when you wake up, on your commute to work or when faced with a difficult time. (Credit: Shutterstock)

This book is based on the scientific discovery that the human brain can rewire and change itself, override past programmes and create new ones. Declutter Your Mind suggests you can change unhelpful behaviours and disempowering thinking patterns at any age and with consistent practice.

"Of all the ways we get programmed, it is our self-talk that plays the single most important role in the programming of the brain. If you use the right self-talk, you will wire your brain in the best possible way – and the results will show in your life."

How to retrain your mind: "Reprogram your mind by thinking new, positive thoughts. Say there's a quality, for example, you want to develop, like confidence. Start thinking "confident" thoughts, such as 'I am relaxed and confident. I got this. I can do this'. Keep repeating them. As you do this, your brain records them and starts creating a new neural network that will eventually support your new beliefs, behaviour and patterns."

What matters most is not the number of books you read but what you do with what you read. Choose a book where the advice provided speaks to you.

If you want to develop a positive mental attitude and get the most out of life, join AIA Vitality. Here you will find a supportive community and plenty of tools and resources to inspire you to embrace positivity.

References:

Holistic Nursing Practice. 2019. Happiness and Positive Thinking Reconsidered. [online] [Accessed on 1 November 2022]

Disclaimer:

This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.