“Be Positive” is not just a blood type but a phrase that everyone has heard of at least once in their life (usually by our moms). You know that you should think positive, but why?

There are scientific reasons why positive thinking is beneficial and essential to leading a productive and healthy lifestyle. By merely thinking or saying positive thoughts out loud, you’re allowing your brain to function at its peak capacity. A positive brain allows you to be more creative, attentive,and resolve problems faster.

Try it right now, say something positive and you will immediately feel a sense of well being. Do you feel all that stress going away? If yes, then positivity is working its magic.

However, this practice is easier said than done, especially during times where negativity thrives in our lives. Most of us have to constantly tell ourselves to think positive which can be exhausting and a tedious task. Ideally, there should be no thought process for thinking positively, it should be as easy as eating chocolate (which can be healthy for you). But, since many of us are not on the eating chocolate level of positive thinking, a great way to start molding your mind to think positively is through good old fashion reading. Reading positive books allows you to cultivate your mind with positive thoughts and they’re easily accessible.

Listed below are 4 positively great recommendations that will help you start this new way of thinking.

365 Days of Happiness: Because happiness is a piece of cake!

Jacqueline Pirtle’s unique book on happiness shifts away from being a boring self-help book to a read where you can continuously be inspired in a fun and authentic way. Her book is a result of a year’s worth of devotion to her daily happiness. Every single day she would write down passages about what she did to make herself happy and created a step-by-step guide for everyone to learn and enjoy form. It’s the perfect way to start thinking more positively because it’s coming from a place of genuine understanding on how to turn each day into a positive one.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things From Taking Over Your Life

Many a times in our lives we tend to overthink the small stuff i.e. that one spelling mistake you made in an email to your professor (we’ve all been there). Small stuff like this can build up in your head and can cause further stress. Well Richard Carlson’s New York Times Best Seller can help with just that. This book focuses on how you need stop blowing things out of proportion which we are all guilty of and focus on what really matters in your life. This small but effective read can help you gage how to handle situations and look at life with a more practical but positive perspective.

By being able to control situations you will be able to focus on studying instead of worrying about every little detail of your life. You can become more focused and allow yourself to resolve problems at a faster pace because you’re not stressing about issues that are too minor.

Happy: Finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect

When it comes to self-help type books one of the biggest problems is that they provide knowledge but don’t explain ways to apply it. Well, Fearne Cotton’s practical book on happiness resolves that issue right away. This book focuses on tangible ways to be more happy within your unique life. She includes helpful exercises, workbook elements and tricks and that you can use in a step by step manner to ensure you are able to reach a positive state of mind in a practical way.

The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want

If you enjoy no nonsense type of books then this read is just for you! Sonja Lyubomirsky, thoroughly researched book on happiness is a unique outlook on this topic. Sometimes, books on this topic can be a bit hippyish or include content that just seems a bit outlandish but Sonja’s comprehensive guide on understanding happiness is based on pure science. Her entire book is formulated to understand happiness and how it can be controlled in your unique situation. With a short diagnostic quiz at the beginning of the book, you get a sneak peak at what level of happiness you’re on. By understanding the science behind positivity and the carefully curated exercises you can be on your way to thinking more positively in no time.

With a positive mind you will be able to focus on your academic journey in a far more effective manner. A positive mind allows you to sift out the negativity in your head and make room for creative and tangible ideas.

Now, with these 4 effective books you can be on your way to thinking more positively. Maybe you’ll become so positive that you can right a book on it as well. The most important thing to remember when reading any of these books is that this is a process that can take some time depending on your personality and mindset. So, be open minded and enjoy the read.

With these books you will be able to receive the mindful support that you need, which in hindsight will help you diligently focus on your academic journey. NAU Canada Online can also help you focus on your academics by providing flexibility and a diverse option of programs. With a changed mindset, you can be positively assured that your journey at NAU Canada Online will be as beneficial as possible. Get started now!