When life hands you lemons you’re supposed to make lemonade but sometimes you just can’t muster the energy to see the silver lining in a difficult situation. No one is happy all the time, but research shows that people who stay positive are healthier than those who dwell in negativity. Keeping a positive outlook could reduce your risk for heart attack by one-third, and it could also help reduce stress and support your mental health and wellness.
Though some people are just “glass half full” kind of people, positivity isn’t just a personality trait – it’s something you can cultivate. With a little time and intention, you can improve your outlook on life and choose positivity even in times of stress.
Read on to receive some simple tips.
1. Start each day with a smile.
We all have days where we wake up on the wrong side of the bed but if you don’t make a conscious decision to nip that negativity in the bud you may end up feeling grouchy all day.
Instead, start each morning with a smile and you may be surprised how quickly positivity becomes a habit. Each morning do something that makes you smile whether it’s making a delicious breakfast or listening to your favorite podcast on the way to work.
2. Reframe negative thoughts.
Everyone has an inner dialogue that runs through our heads all day, though it’s not something you’re constantly aware of.
The attitude you portray in your thoughts manifests in your feelings, so negative self-talk can lead you down a dreary road. When you find yourself thinking negatively, stop and reframe your thoughts in a more positive or constructive manner.
3. Make time for self-care.
When you’re feeling bogged down by stress and you can’t seem to catch a break, it’s much easier to fall into negative patterns of thought. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a break and spend a little time doing nothing at all.
Self-care can be as simple as adding a plant to the living room (why plants are good for your mental health), indulging in an at-home spa day with a body scrub and a scented candle. Whatever brings you peace, make time for it at least once a week.
4. Maintain positive relationships.
It’s easier to feel positive when you surround yourself with happy people. Toxic relationships can be incredibly draining and stressful, so take a moment to do a mental inventory of your relationships and identify the ones that are worth your time and those that aren’t.
Make an effort to connect with people on a daily basis and start stepping back from relationships that aren’t healthy.
5. Practice gratitude every day.
When times are tough it can be difficult to find the silver lining but making it a daily habit to practice gratitude can lead you down a more positive path.
Keep a journal or make a mental note of the things you have to be thankful for every day and you may just find that you start seeing the positive side of things a little more easily than you used to.
6. Seek professional help.
Hard as you may try, sometimes you can’t overcome negative habits and patterns of thinking by sheer willpower.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, consider talking to a therapist or virtual psychiatrist to get the help you need. Even if it just gives you someone to help you process your thoughts and feelings, having a professional at your back makes a world of difference.
There’s no doubt that life can be difficult sometimes but if you’re committed to having a negative attitude, you’re only going to make yourself miserable.
No one is happy all the time, but you can choose to see the good in a bad situation or, at the very least, make an effort to challenge negative thoughts and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. If you do, you may just find that life looks a little bit cheerier and your mental health may see an improvement as well!