This article was written by the folks at ForHers.com. We hope you enjoy their advice for staying positive!
At times it can feel like life is a never-ending battle. We all experience stress and struggle from time to time, but sometimes it gets to be overwhelming. When it feels like everything is going downhill, it can be tempting to give in to negativity but that will only make things worse. Staying positive in a difficult world is the biggest struggle of all, but it’s worth the effort.
It may sound cliché but making an effort to see the silver lining in challenging situations can change not only your perspective on life but your experience of it. Cultivating an attitude of positivity may not be something you can achieve overnight, but if you start taking the steps today it won’t be long before you start seeing the results.
Here are 8 techniques to try to maintain a positive attitude…
1. Start every day with a smile.
We all have days where we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, but if you start your day with negativity, you’ll find yourself fighting an uphill battle.
After you’ve gotten out of bed, engage in a relaxing activity that supports physical and mental wellness instead of jumping right into the anxiety of the day.
Read the paper over a hot breakfast, spend a few minutes journaling, or try a quick meditation session to prepare yourself for the day ahead.
2. Control the amount of negative content you consume.
Starting your day on an uplifting note is great, but positivity is a commitment you’ll need to keep making throughout the day. It’s important to stay up to date on current events but be mindful of how much negative news you’re consuming.
Limit the time you spend with television and social media, sticking to the headlines to get a gist of things and selecting just a few stories to read in detail.
Not only should you take steps to control the amount of negative content you consume, but it’s also wise to avoid spending too much time with negative people. There are bound to be people in your life who drain your energy and ruin your mood.
If it’s not appropriate to cut those people out of your life, at least be mindful of how much time you spend with them.
3. Prioritize stress relief and self-care.
It’s no secret that stress is dangerous – from high blood pressure to hair loss, chronic stress wreaks havoc on your health. While there may be no avoiding some degree of stress in your life, there are simple things you can do to manage it.
Taking just 30 minutes a day to do something you enjoy or spending a longer period of time resting on the weekend can help you recharge your battery and renew your positivity.
Grab brunch with friends on the weekend, cuddle up on the couch with a good book after work, or indulge yourself in a spa day at home.
Whatever helps you feel like yourself, take the time to do it as often as you can.
4. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Many of us spend so much time thinking about all the things that are going wrong we forget to think about the things that go right.
Practicing gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to cultivate positivity in your life and it’s quite easy to do.
Every morning, think about something you’re thankful for or end your day by writing down a few notes in a gratitude journal. The more you work at it, the more natural it will become to start seeing the good things among the bad.
5. Try to live more consciously.
If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed by stress and uncertainty, try learning how to live in the moment.
Cultivating an awareness of the simple things in life – your own breath, the blue sky, or a bird’s song – can calm your mind and provide some relief from the negativity trying to drag you down.
Meditation is an excellent tool to help you learn how to live more consciously. Explore mindfulness meditation or get started with guided meditation.
Meditation can be as short or as long as you like and there are plenty of ways to customize the experience to suit your needs and preferences.
6. Spend time with people who build you up.
Just as important as limiting your interaction with negative people and troubling content is spending time with people who build you up.
Simply talking to a trusted friend or family member can help relieve stress and remind you that you have support to fall back on when you need it.
You never know, spending time with you might also be just what that person needs to inject a little positivity into their own day.
7. Connect with nature as often as possible.
When it feels like the world is closing in around you, get outside. There’s something soothing about spending time outdoors and getting away from it all might just help you gain some perspective on the things going on in your life.
Even if it’s a quick walk in a local park, connecting with nature can help.
One of the best ways to recharge your battery and relieve burnout is a practice called forest bathing. Don’t worry – you don’t need a swimsuit! It’s known as Shinrin-Yoku and it’s a practice that began in Japan in the 1980s.
By immersing yourself in nature, you can find relief from stress and negativity.
8. Take control over your own life.
For many of us, negativity comes from a sense of being helpless. Being overwhelmed with work, struggling with personal issues, and dealing with the troubles of the world can make you feel like everything is out of control.
To regain your positivity, take back control in your life by empowering yourself to make choices. Delegate that task you don’t have time to do.
Turn down that invitation if you know you need some time to yourself. Don’t feel guilty for doing what’s healthy for you.
The truth is that life may never be simple, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Even as you experience stress and struggle, you can pick out the positive details that give you the strength to keep moving forward.
Try some of the techniques above to start cultivating positivity in your own life.
Whether you’re in Asheville or not, we’d love to support your wellness journey. Get in touch and we can chat about the many virtual or in-person options!
