I’ve been thinking lately about starting a Spanx revolution. You know how ladies burned their bras in the 70’s? Let’s dig out all those crazy compression undergarments and just give them a big heave ho.

Here’s why. The weather is getting warmer now so naturally I’m pulling out the summer dresses but then I feel compelled to couple them with wet suit like undergarments. I did this the other day for work-jammed myself into some new fangled allegedly “comfortable” under product. After a few minutes, I started to realize there was a breeze where there shouldn’t be a breeze. So, I investigated this compression breach and found it was part of the design of the product. Okay so now I’m pondering why there’s a porthole. Is it because the designer knows how impossible it is to get out of these things every time nature calls or is it because there’s a recognition that people just need some air or, and this is the one that really scares me, is it because we now have to wear compression garments during activities I won’t mention in a G-rated newsletter?

While I don't know the answers to these questions, it has me thinking about how my attitude makes such a huge difference in how I feel. Seriously, my thoughts were focused on this ridiculously uncomfortable under product all day and it was hard to focus on anything else. Course as soon as I got home, they were the first thing to come off. I felt so much better in my mind and in my mid-section.

This all leads me to the conclusion that on my own personal journey to think more positive thoughts, it’s become necessary to ditch the compression garments and heck…I might as well burn the bra too! Just kidding but I do realize it's up to me to make sure my mind has space for the good stuff and I need to do whatever it takes to get there.

We all experience adverse events, setbacks and disappointments in life, but it’s how we interpret them and how quickly we bounce back from them that determines our overall wellbeing.  

Each of us looks at life through our own unique lens.  This lens has been developed over a lifetime and is shaped by our individual life experiences.  This explains why two people can see the same situation so differently.  When we filter situations through our personal lens, we are crafting our own reality.  Sometimes that lens can be clouded with negativity.

Research shows that our brains are actually hardwired to focus on the negative; scientist call this the negativity bias.  Experts say that negative comments stick in our brain like velcro while positive ones slide off like teflon.  

But the good news is that we can override this negativity bias.  Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology, coined the term “learned optimism”. He states that people can learn to be more optimistic by focusing on the positive and what is possible (rather than on the problem and what has gone wrong or could go wrong).

Studies show that positive thoughts, optimism and hope play a significant role in our overall health.  These qualities are linked to reduced stress levels and improved immune system responses.  In addition, studies show that people who experience more frequent positive emotions tend to have more energy, are more involved in enjoyable activities, are engaged in healthier behaviors, have better coping skills and even live longer lives.

Scientists have proven that we can train our brain to increase activation in the area that experiences happiness through practice.  One way to do this is to stop several times throughout the day and focus on what’s going right in your day and in your life.  Positive Psychologists call this technique "hunting for the good stuff" in life.

Over time this will change the make up of our lens and our lives.  It starts as a practice and eventually becomes a habit.