Adults who practiced loving-kindness meditation daily for nine weeks had more positive emotions, a better sense of self-acceptance and fewer symptoms of depression than those who didnt meditate, according to a 2008 study at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Want to try loving-kindness meditation? Listen tofree audio tracks from UCLAs Mindful Awareness Research Center.

Positive mental attitude tip #7: Use your strengths. Identify your top five strengths. For example, they might include a sense of humor, compassion, curiosity, patience and intelligence. Then try to use each one in a new way every day.

For example, if curiosity is one of your best assets, learn something new, go to a museum youve never been to or read a book by a new author.

This exercise, developed by positive psychologists at University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, reminds you of what you have to offer yourself and others, Layous says. It also encourages positive thoughts and boosts your self-esteem, she explains.

Positive mental attitude tip #8: Share good news.A good grade, promotion or just sleeping late one morning is sweeter if you share it with others, according to a 2010 study at University of Rochester, N.Y.

Positive events are associated with higher self-esteem and reduced depressive symptoms, and just remembering them later can boost your mood, the researchers concluded.Plus social support helps you focus on positive events rather than negative ones, they found.

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