When times get tough it can be easy for your attitude to take a complete nosedive. Everyone goes through ups and downs, but it is very important to keep a positive outlook even when you are at your lowest.
Your attitude has an effect on so many aspects of your life such as your health, your motivation and even how others perceive you.
By following a few of the following tips, you will be sure to keep your attitude in check, even in the most difficult of times.
1. Exercise More
Exercising is extremely important not only for physical fitness, but for mental wellness, as well. It is widely known that endorphins released after rigorous physical activity increase your level of positive emotions, but you don’t necessarily need to “go hard” to reap these benefits.
Studies have shown that even just a moderate amount of exercise is capable of improving your mood. Your best bet is to choose something that you really enjoy. It is important to keep it interesting, as well. Many people tend to get bored of performing the exact same exercise each day, so change up your daily walking routine with a day of yoga or swimming. Just keep it fun and the positive attitude will follow.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is a necessity when it comes to keeping your attitude in line. Just about everyone has had a sleepless night and knows just how your body and mind feel the next day. Not only are you physically exhausted, but your emotions and mood decline drastically, as well.
This isn’t just for insomniacs, either. Studies have shown that partial sleep deprivation has a negative effect on your mood, as well. Stress levels increase, mental exhaustion sets in and your daily outlook is just grim. Getting plenty of shut-eye will surely help to keep your attitude more upbeat and keep the negative thoughts at bay.
3. Set Aside Time for a Special Talent or Hobby
Do you have a special talent or even a hobby that you could brush up on? Then put it into action! Doing something that you are good at or enjoy is a great way to alleviate stress and anger, thus leading to a more positive attitude. Pick up your paintbrush or go out into your garden when you start feeling low. Having a positive outlet that showcases your talent will help to facilitate an encouraging mood turnaround.
Even if your passion isn’t something that you are an expert at quite yet, you can use this time to improve upon it. Seeing your talent progress will motivate you to keep at it and your sense of achievement will lead to an overall happier mood.
4. Be an Optimist
Finding the good in every situation can be difficult, but being an optimist will move your attitude in the right direction. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that optimistic people are healthier, both mentally and physically, than the pessimists who bring others down.
Want to become more optimistic? Well, you really should, even though it is not easy task for everyone. A good way to start this change would be to stop being so competitive with others and envision yourself succeeding. Focus on the positive and bounce back from the negatives.
5. Give Back to Your Community
Volunteering can be an incredible mood booster. Helping others creates an intrinsic value that improves attitude and motivates you to keep paying it forward. There are infinite ways for you to give back to your community and it is up to you to figure out what you are best suited for.
Animal lovers can easily help out and you don’t need to go out and adopt an animal yourself to do so. Volunteer your time at a shelter as a dog walker or help to get the animals moved into a loving forever home. There are numerous animal and wildlife organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of animals, and by doing your part you will feel such a sense of happiness that will surely spill over into other aspects of your life.
6. Organize and De-clutter Your Life
Being unorganized is a sure way to increase stress. When you are constantly looking for things or losing them it begins to build anxiety. Being organized leads a person to be more productive, which in turn can motivate you to keep performing at your best because of your increased positive attitude. So, get rid of this unnecessary frustration and clean up your life!
An easy way to get started with this is to simply stop buying things that you do not need. All of those little extra items take up space and the clutter will end up driving you crazy. Then, clean up what you have. File paperwork in its appropriate place, tidy up your space and most importantly, know where everything is located. An organized life leads to a clearer mind, which will keep stress down and positive emotions high.
7. Learn Something New
Picking up new skills or bits of information can increase motivation and overall mood. It makes you feel accomplished and your brain functions better when you are increasing your knowledge threshold, leading to a higher level of self worth.
Luckily, with all of the resources at your disposal, learning can be fun! You can check out “how to” videos on YouTube or pick up a new hobby while browsing Pinterest. Want to get out of the house to learn something new? Go to your local library or to a museum that you have been wanting to visit. While you are there, you might even meet someone with similar interests and you can build upon your social life, which also increases a positive attitude.
8. Consume Healthy Food
The relationship between food and your mood is one that should be nourished in a healthy manner. Too much sugar and processed food will leave you feeling low and your body will not be able to function at its best. Unhealthy foods tend to hinder proper brain function, leaving you with a pretty significantly unbalanced mental state. Adversely, eating more nutritious and whole foods can improve your demeanor and keep you feeling good throughout the day.
Try eating more fruits, vegetables and lean proteins to keep your mind from slipping into negative thoughts. Also, if you are feeling low, a bit of dark chocolate can turn that around! It increases the serotonin levels in the brain, leaving you feeling satisfied and happy.
9. Meditate and Breathe Deeply
Stress can have a negative impact on even the most upbeat people, bringing them down and adjusting their attitude. A great way to keep the positive emotions flowing is through meditation. Get yourself into a quiet area at the end of a long day, get comfortable and focus on your breathing. Breathe deeply and slowly while focusing on your thoughts and direct them into a positive light. It’s also great to think on power statements, like verses or quotes.
Meditation is also a great way to start out your day. Before you even get out of bed, you can sit up and focus your thoughts on how you want the day to progress. By envisioning yourself being happy and reaching your daily goals, you make it much easier to actually carry out the tasks that go along with them.
You don’t need to be in the quiet of your own home to reap the benefits, either. While out and about, if you become overwhelmed or feel your mood drifting toward the dark side, simply take a step back and breathe deeply. Focus on your breath for a few seconds, clear your negative thoughts and go forth with a positive attitude.
10. Be Appreciative for What You Have
In today’s world, the concept of “more is better” has taken over. People are constantly wanting things that they do not have and they tend to dwell on it more than they really should. It is great to have admirations because it can be a motivator for you to reach a goal, thus getting you what you desire. Dream big, there is nothing wrong with that!
Unfortunately, many become too focused on these objects or dreams that they do not possess, and they forget about what they already have. When you have a roof over your head and food on your plate, you already have a lot to appreciate. There are plenty of people around the world that would give just about anything to have those very two things.
A great way to be thankful for what you already have is to focus on what you actually need to live and survive. Not having that big screen television that all of the celebrities do will not truly hinder your life. Just as having that expensive diamond necklace will not improve the quality of your life.
Simply appreciate what you have because there are many others who do not have nearly as much as you do. By focusing on what you already possess, more importantly what you possess emotionally, your attitude will surely find itself climbing toward the positive end of the spectrum.
Key Takeaways:
– Maintaining a positive attitude during difficult times can be improved by incorporating regular physical exercise, getting enough sleep, and dedicating time to hobbies and talents.
– Simple activities such as being optimistic, volunteering in the community, and organizing one’s life can have a positive impact on attitude and overall mental well-being.
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Alicia Lawrence works for an Internet marketing company and blogs in her free time at MarCom Land. Her work has been published by the Association for Business Communication, Business Insider, and Spin Sucks.