Through gratitude, affirmations and visualization, we can remain positive even in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis.

From Buddha to Napoleon Hill and John Maxwell to Oprah – the most influential people in our history all agree – mindset is the key to success.

Despite the challenges we face amid this COVID-19 pandemic and the constant negativity we see on the news and social media, we can still choose to maintain a positive mindset.

In fact, this may be the best time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude because gratitude is scientifically proven to improve health. It can counteract depression and suicidal thoughts, reduce our aches and pains, and even lead to better cardiovascular health.

Gratitude is simply recognizing and being thankful for what is already good in our lives. And the more we focus on the good things – no matter how small – the more good things we see. And the easier it is to remain positive.

In addition to gratitude, leveraging the Law of Attraction – or LOA – will springboard us to more good things. In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction says, ask and it is given, or, we get what we think about. So, if we think about positive things – we feel good and our good vibe makes us compatible for the good things that match how we feel.

But how can we maintain a positive, high-vibe mindset? Affirmations are a very effective technique that literally help us rewire our brains to be more positive.

We are affirming ourselves all the time, whether we realize it or not. The problem is that we will believe whatever we tell ourselves regularly. So if we tell ourselves, I’m just not smart enough or I don’t have time, we will find both to be true.

However, if we repeat carefully crafted, positive statements that focus on what we want to believe, think and feel (whether or not we truly feel that way right now), we practice this new belief, helping it become ingrained into our mind and eventually turned into a true belief.

Another technique to help us maintain a positive mindset and empower our new beliefs is the use of visualization.

Professional athletes and performers all use visualization because the body does not know the difference between what is happening and what we imagine. When a runner visualizes a race, while attached to electrodes, the exact same sequence of brain activity is observed as when the runner is physically racing.

This is because the neurons in our brains interpret imagery the same as a real-life action. In fact, a study of mental exercises and the impact that it has on strength concluded that by simply visualizing ourselves conducting an exercise, we can increase our strength by 35%.  If visualization can do that, imagine how effective it can be to help us maintain a positive mindset.

Therefore, despite the crisis that is looming outside our door, let us focus on gratitude, affirmations and visualization to help us maintain a positive mindset.  Who knows – we may end up improving our mental health during this pandemic rather than falling victim to all of the negativity.