On 10 January 2026, Seniors Today had their first weekly Health Live Webinar of the year with Dr Monika Dass Who spoke on meeting the new year with positivity and gratitude.
Dr Monika Dass is a Chartered Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, UK.
Professionally, she has counselled over 12,500 individuals in a span of 20 years and has published several papers in both Indian and international journals.
A trained pianist and vocalist from the Trinity College of Music, London, Dr Dass has influenced many lives with the joyful learning of music. She has been actively involved in several popular musicals such as The Sound of Music, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and so on…with her expertise in developing children through drama. She firmly believes that any extracurricular activity can help tap into one’s potential and bring out the best in an individual.
Meeting the New Year is important and will hopefully help us lead a healthy, happy and fruitful life.
Meeting the New Year with a mindset of positivity and gratitude can set a powerful, intentional tone for the next 12 months ahead. This helps us foster resilience and personal growth- which is something we all look for. It is also an opportunity for us to shift our focus from negative to positive- shift our focus from something which we don’t have, to something that we can build. This is a very important way to celebrate the New Year.
There are several things that can help you cultivate positivity. Some of which can be:
- Embracing a fresh start. It is a powerful symbol, a new chapter in our lives. There is a great feeling of joy at the beginning of a new month or a new year even when you buy something new. It is a blank page- a new opportunity for you to write your story with hope, strength, joy and leaving past regrets behind. This is key to living a life full of gratitude
- Focusing on growth will help us strive for immediate perfection. While striving for perfection the aim should be to look for continuous learning, self improvement and personal growth.
- Live our lives intentionally. Rather than living in an automatic mode mindset, it’s far better for us to live our lives with intention. Every action, every day needs to be set- this makes achieving your goals in life easier.
One of the main things in cultivating positivity is to choose happiness over unhappiness. Actively choosing happiness is a guiding principle that will always keep you in a positive mindset and that is going to be your invincible post against any difficulties that you might face in life- which one is bound to face in the year. But if you keep a happy and positive mindset you will be able to move forward.
It is easier said than done but believe it, that practicing it works.
Practicing daily gratitude will help you acknowledge all the good things in your life- both big and small.
It’s important for you to keep a journal. Dr Dass suggests that we write down 3 to 5 things that we are thankful for each morning or evening. This will increase your optimism, improve your sleep and boost your energy levels.
Start with awareness. Be aware of the blessings that you have everyday such as your good health, a safe home, a comfortable bed- can heighten your sense of appreciation.
A very important habit for us to imbibe is the business of expressing appreciation to others.
Go beyond a quick thank you- write a thoughtful note, send out new year wishes to people you care for or simply express positive feelings to your loved ones, friends, colleagues.
We need tom learn how to shift our perception- this will help us foster contentment and would attract more blessings in your life.
The more grateful you are, the more gratitude you express in your life the more you will get.
Use the new year as a chance to release lingering hurts, forgive past mistakes and let go of judgements making way for peace and new opportunities.
Rather than starting off in battle mode, it’ll be better if you pave your way through in a positive manner by intentionally shifting your focus from what you lack to the blessings you have.
- It will help improve your mental health
- It can help strengthen connections
- You will feel far happier once this happens
- Helps you set a productive tone for the year
Some practical steps to help you cultivate a grateful mind:
- Keeping a gratitude journal
- Practice giving gratitude in notes, texts, to someone you love
- Focus on small joys
- Acknowledge all kinds of gestures
- Gratitude huddle: Share positive highlights with friends, family
- Spreading positives
Build affirmations for yourself.
For example, if you want to build your self confidence- affirm- “I’m a work in progress and that is okay. I choose hope over fear and growth over comfort.”
Affirmations do help. It helps you rewire the brain. When you repeat affirmations, it activates the brain’s reward centres and neural pathways and helps you replace negatives for positives. It does so with the process of neuroplasticity.
It helps you combat negativity.
It helps you replace negative self talk with more positive messages.
While making your affirmations- they need to be positive, in the present tense, positive and firm.
Tailor them to your needs and beliefs.
They need to be repeated daily out loud or in your head.
Keep them relevant and true to your situation.
Affirmations on mindfulness and presence:
“I am present at this moment. I am grateful for today. I choose peace and joy. I breathe in healing and exhale pain.”
Affirmation to overcome anxiety/ challenges:
“I can do hard things. I choose to respond with positivity. I release the need for perfection. I feel safe and supported. I have the power to let go of what doesn’t serve me.”
Affirmation based on self love and confidence:
“I am enough just as I am. I am worthy of happiness and success. My mistakes are lessons not definitions. I am strong and capable.”
Affirmation for success and growth:
“I am a magnet for success and prosperity. I am open to learning and adapting. ”
