“This too shall pass.”
Striving to stay positive, both in good times and bad, is a great way to improve your quality of life.
All it takes is a few simple adjustments and bit of effort to become a happier person.
Try following these seven methods on a daily basis:
1. Don’t Dwell on Negativity
Of course, staying positive 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a bit difficult. Letting things get to you is normal, and it’s actually healthy to cry or vent frustrations once in a while.
It’s when those negative moments dominate your life that your emotional balance is at risk. Take a healthy few minutes to feel sadness and accept what happened, but don’t give that sadness another second in your day.
2. Remember the Good Things
Think of that old phrase, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” When you’re feeling down, look at all the good things you have and make them outweigh the bad ones.
Maybe you struggle with low self-esteem or rising to a challenge. Create a list of your best traits, positive things people say about you or other times where you conquered a difficult task. Prove your negative thoughts wrong by showing yourself what you’re capable of.
If you have an unlucky day where nothing goes according to plan, remember which parts of your life are good, such as family or friends that love you or simply having a place to sleep. Gratefulness helps you appreciate life in bad times.
3. Eat Healthy and Stay Fit
What you put into your body directly affects how you feel on the outside. Chips, soda and ice cream make you happy for a few minutes, but they eventually leave you tired and cranky.
Fill yourself with good, wholesome foods like proteins, fruits and vegetables for long-term energy. Limit snacking and serve yourself the proper portions. Cutting back on caffeine also helps because consuming high amounts increases stress.
Exercise is equally important. Take a few days out of your week for at least a half hour of activity, and try to stick to a routine. Even going outside for a walk and enjoying the sunshine improves your mood.
4. Care for Your Mind
It’s also important to reserve time for rest and relaxation. Give yourself breaks in between periods of hard work and fill your free time with enjoyable activities.
Take your lunch breaks outside, spend time with friends, or plan a relaxing night for yourself. Just be careful not to overdo it and experience the negatives consequences of a fun night out. Drinking is relaxing at first, but too much can cause negative thoughts and reactions from others, which won’t do much to help you stay positive.
5. Be Kind to Others
Good feelings come from acts of kindness and selflessness. Making someone’s day a bit brighter not only puts a smile on his or her face but also yours, as well.
Remember to smile and treat each person with compassion and respect. Good deeds are contagious, and your positive attitude may spread among others.
6. Change Your Surroundings
You can do a few simple things to your environment to encourage positive thoughts, whether it’s at the office or at home.
When you’re at work, keep the blinds open and let in as much natural light as possible. If you don’t have windows, cover your walls with happy photos and uplifting words. Incorporate some of your favorite colors into your desk space, or ask your boss if you can bring in a plant.
Do the same thing at home. Let in natural light for an instant mood booster, hang up cheerful pictures or quotes, fill rooms with pleasant scents from flowers or candles, or design them with your preferred color scheme. Living in a pleasant environment is a great way to keep feeling positive.
7. Surround Yourself With Positive People
People change us in ways we don’t notice. They can directly affect our mood and make us who we are, which is why it’s best to surround ourselves with the ones who make us laugh, smile and become the kind of person we want to be.
Think of the top three people in your life who brighten your day. Those are the people you should spend most of your time with if you want to stay positive.
Take It One Day at a Time
Being positive isn’t an instant thing. It’s a steady endeavor that we follow every hour of every day. Don’t worry about what the future may bring; instead, focus on living in the moment and doing what you can to make each moment better.
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Kayla Matthews is a motivational blogger with a passion for self-improvement and positive thinking. To read more of her latest posts, follow Twitter, or on her personal blog, Productivity Theory.