With the entire world in turmoil, it’s so hard to stay positive. Life can be overwhelming.
Stress can occur when there is a brain overload and this can lead to a negative mindset.
Anxiety and stress can find you when there are situations that arise that are out of your control. Sit back and look at what you can control. Start small. The one thing that is always in your control is how you react to those situations. Don’t jeopardize your health because of something you can’t change.
I want to share some tried and true ways to turn the negative into a positive. Best thing? They’re all free. They won’t cost you a dime!
Moods are contagious. Look for people that are positive. It’s mentally better for you to be around people that can add positivity and value to your life.
Personally, I can tell the difference at the end of the day if I work more closely with someone who is clearly grumpy than when I work with someone with a chipper upbeat attitude.
Be the person that makes others go home at the end of the day feeling like it was a good day.
Let’s get into some ideas to help defeat anxiety and help you get on to living your best life.
Step one: Turn off the news. Negativity sells.
Seriously, when was the last time you saw a positive happy ending on the news? Not as often as bad news, I will tell you that. When you look at title captions, they are clearly selling you fear. It’s a business of emphasizing all the bad in the world. What good does this bring you?
If you’re letting someone put negative thoughts in your head, it only makes sense you’re going to see life in a less positive light.
These people don’t deserve that space in your head. Rid your life of the negativity.
Take a walk instead. Give that time to yourself. Go enjoy the world around you. You deserve that peace of mind.
Step two: Reset your mindset
Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?
If you feel sluggish and just not wanting to participate in your daily responsibilities, ask yourself, “what makes you happy?”
Try it. Tell yourself three things that make you happy. Say it out loud.
If you say my dog, my kids, my job. Take that deeper.
What does your dog do that makes you happy? What is something your kids have done or said recently that brought you joy? What makes you love your job?
It works. I have suffered debilitating anxiety where I would have constant panic attacks. I recognized the feeling before they would hit so telling myself what all I have to be happy for made all the difference.
It’s amazing the quick turnaround after filling your brain with things that truly make you smile.
Do this daily if you need to. When you start telling yourself out loud what makes you happy, you’ll actually start noticing the positive around you.
Step three: Dress up
I’m sorry but when you’re lounging around in your pajamas, it’s too easy to feel blah.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love coming home after a long day of work and putting on the PJs and grabbing a glass of wine to relax.
If you start your day with looking your best, it’s hard to not feel good.
Simply put on a cute outfit, do your makeup, do something different with your hair. Something out of your normal.
Save those pajamas for after your day is done.
Step four: Hand out compliments.
They’re completely free!
Did your coworker do something different with their hair today? Let her know you noticed.
See someone with cute shoes? Tell them
It’s so simple to make someone feel special and noticed. That should in turn make you feel happy about yourself.
Everyone likes to know that they matter. Who knows, that simple compliment you give could make that person’s whole day.
Be the reason someone smiles today!
Step five: Meditation
There are a lot of great free apps that you can install.
My favorite is Skylight. It is very well set up and has so many options depending on your current mood.
There are sections to help with sleep, work anxiety, relationship, self-affirmation, you name it.
It’s so good for yourself to spend some time alone every once in a while. Go sit outside and be with your own thoughts, develop your own opinions. Focus on what you have in your life to be thankful for. Always look for the good.
End each day with reliving the good moments you had throughout your day. Write them down.
If you’ve been living a negative life, some of these may feel awkward and weird. Keep going though, they start feeling more natural.