Today’s entry is about a tool we can use in our personal lives called reframing. The next blog entry will be about reframing your finances.
We perceive situations based upon our beliefs, our values, our personal experiences, and many other variables. This frame of reference then leads to our opinions and actions. We often assume that our personal frame of reference is the only accurate way of perceiving a situation, but others may see the situation differently. We can actually teach ourselves to look at the world with a different perspective, or to “reframe” the situation. You can think of reframing as intentionally looking through a different picture frame. Reframing is a practical tool that can be used in everyday life.
Reframing is helpful in solving problems. If you perceive that you have too many problems and are overwhelmed, your behavior (and level of happiness) will be different than if you consider each problem as a situation waiting to be solved. Reframing can be described as “looking for the silver lining” or “turning obstacles into opportunities”.
Many life events can benefit from reframing. Psychologists have shown that losing a job often has a severe impact on happiness, and many people lost their jobs due to the economic recession that began in 2008. Reframing can be used to change your perspective, realizing that the job loss could create an opportunity to pursue a different career and possibly find a better job. The unplanned time off can be used to enjoy your family, focus on improving your health, or improve your education.
A friend once told me that she considers exercise to be a privilege, because she is so thankful that her body is healthy enough to do it. If you look at exercise as a privilege rather than as a chore, you are likely to make greater progress toward your physical fitness goals. Changing your attitude about exercise is a great example of reframing.
Researchers are finding that we have more control than previously believed over our brains and our thoughts. If you are feeling stressed, stop your thought pattern, take a deep breath, and think about something you are grateful for. You can deliberately decide that you don’t like the thoughts going through your mind, and “reframe” them to put you in a healthier and happier state.
