In a world where it is easy to spiral into negativity, positive reinforcement is a powerful tool that can be used to improve our overall health and happiness. By rewarding ourselves for positive behaviours, we can encourage ourselves to repeat those behaviours and create a healthier, happier life. 

Here are 3 ways that positive reinforcement can affect our overall health:

1. Increases motivation and self-confidence. When we are rewarded for our positive behaviours, it gives us a sense of accomplishment and makes us feel good about ourselves. Everyone enjoys getting complimented and it is a mood booster. In most cases, positive reinforcement can put you in the right mindset to get work done. This can lead to increased motivation and self-confidence, which can help us achieve our goals and live healthier lives. 

2. Reduces stress and anxiety. When we are feeling stressed or anxious, it can be difficult to make healthy choices. People tend to make rash decisions based on their emotions at the moment rather than thinking logically about the aftermath or consequences. However, positive reinforcement can help to reduce stress and anxiety by giving us something to focus on that is positive. This is because when you are anxious or stressed, it is usually a negative feeling caused by something you are uncomfortable with. An example of positive reinforcement during this time can include letting yourself know that this feeling is normal and that you will get through it slowly one step at a time. It can help you calm down and return to a state of mind where you can make the choice that is best for you. This can make it easier to make healthy choices and improve our overall health.

3. Promotes healthy habits. Positive reinforcement can help us to establish healthy habits by rewarding ourselves for sticking to those habits. For example, if we want to eat healthier, we can reward ourselves for eating fruits and vegetables. Or, if we want to exercise more, we can reward ourselves for going for a walk or run. By rewarding ourselves for healthy behaviours, we can make those behaviours more likely to stick. 

Here are some tips for using positive reinforcement to improve your health:

• Be specific about the behaviours you want to reward. For example, instead of saying "I'm going to reward myself for working out," say "I'm going to reward myself for going for a 30-minute walk every day."

• Make the rewards meaningful to you. The rewards should be something that you will genuinely enjoy. For example, if you love chocolate, you could reward yourself with a piece of chocolate after you go for a run.

• Be consistent with the rewards. If you only reward yourself sometimes, it will be less effective. Try to reward yourself every time you do the desired behaviour and this will become a habit. You’ve heard of how if you continue an activity for an average of 60 days then it becomes a habit–so think of this as a way to start a new habit.

• Be patient. It takes time to see the results of positive reinforcement. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep rewarding yourself for positive behaviors and eventually, you will see a difference.

If you are looking for ways to improve your overall health and happiness, positive reinforcement is a great place to start. By rewarding yourself for positive behaviours, you can encourage yourself to repeat those behaviours and create a healthier, happier life for yourself.