With the pandemic going on for a year now, it can be easy to develop a pessimistic outlook to life and of people. So how can we climb out of the ditch and improve our outlook on life? In this article, I'd like to share 10 healthy habits that can help you sty more positive and constructive during difficult times.
- What is one good or positive outcome from this situation?
- What opportunity does this situation offer?
This way of thinking may not work well right away, so take sometime first to process the situation and then try incorporate this optimistic thinking.
Who you choose to spend your time with, whether it's a person or our choice of entertainment, can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing. In order for us to become more positive, we need to spend time with those that have an overall good influence on us, support us, and lift us up instead of dragging us down. So think hard about what you allow to affect your mind. Ask yourself:
Take time to consider your answers to those questions and think of ways you can spend less time with those people or entertainment that doesn't impact you in a positive way. Use the time you've freed up from those negative associations and fill it up with those that are positive sources in your life.
When we are stressed or going on a negative streak, it is very easy to lose perspective. Here are three simple ways to handle the situation:
There's a saying, "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving." When you take time to spread positivity to others, you tend to get it back from them as well. How well you treat others can really have how you think of them which in turn can have a huge effect on how your treat and think about yourself. How can you spread the positivity?
Help Out - Know a friend that needs help? Don't just tell them, "Hope it goes well." Be proactive and lend a hand!
Listen - There are some days where our friends may just need someone to be there and listen to them vent. Be that person for them. They can do the same for you in your time of need.
Boost the Mood - Smile often. Give hugs freely if possible. Play some upbeat music. Give sincere commendation to encourage others.
This is a no-brainer, but seriously take time to keep your overall wellness in check. Exercising can have a huge impact on our energy throughout the day and it can make us feel better about ourselves. Make sure that you don't neglect your sleep health either. Staying up late binge watching your favorite shows may make you feel happy at the moment, but the next morning you will take the blow for it. It can affect our mood and cause us to be more sensitive and cranky throughout the day.
Don't skip meals! When we make sure to eat our meals on time, it can help us to think more clearly about a situation or a problem that arises than when we are on an empty stomach. Have you heard of being "hangry"? That's hungry + angry. So let's avoid any triggers that can lead to negativity.
It never feels good to be criticized. In fact, most people fear it. It hurts. So although it may be impossible to avoid criticism completely, we can learn to handle it in a healthy way. How can we do that? Here are some step I like:
How you start your day really helps set the tone for the rest of your day. So make sure to delegate time for some self-care in the morning. Waking up early enough so that you don't need to rush through can significantly affect your mood for the rest of the day. Have a relaxing bath, dress up in a way that makes you feel good about yourself, have a meaningful uplifting conversation with a friend or family, listen or read an up-building book, or take time to really enjoy your breakfast.
