Life has many beautiful things to offer – but there are days when things won’t go your way, when bad news piles on and times when we’re let down by the events of life. It happens. But in these times having a positive attitude can serve as your greatest weapon. A positive attitude gives you the motivation and the mindset to carry on and to take on the world.
While this is much easier said than done, there are practices you can do to prompt an optimistic outlook on life. That’s why we’ve complied 7 tips to help you maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
1) Exercise or Yoga
Any form of physical activity can naturally put you in a better and more positive mood. Running for 15 minutes a day or a 30-minute yoga session are enough to do the trick. Besides boosting your mood, it’ll keep your mind and body in shape – a double win.
Many studies have deemed exercise as a ‘natural mood booster.’ This is because when you get your heart racing and body moving, this increases the release of endorphins in your body. Endorphins are hormones that ultimately lift your mood.
Yoga in particular is an amazing exercise that helps you build stronger muscles, increase flexibility, and helps boosts your spirits. Better yet you don’t need to join a yoga class; there are plenty of free yoga videos on YouTube. This coupled with a pair of comfortable women’s yoga shorts and a yoga mat is all you’ll need to get your heart pumping. A better mood means a positive attitude.
2) Show Your Gratitude
As people, we have a tendency to focus on the bad things that happen rather than the good. That keeps us in a loop of negative thoughts.
Even in the toughest of situations, there are always things you can be grateful for. Whether it’s your family, your dog, the new kitchen utensil you bought, or the mere fact of being alive, remind yourself of all the beautiful blessings you have. When you focus on the good, you’ll naturally develop a more positive outlook on life.
3) A Good Morning Routine
Starting the day off right can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. It can mentally prepare you for all that will happen as well. So go ahead and make that fancy smoothie bowl or read your favorite book – you deserve a dose of joy in the morning. For more smoothie recipes check smoothiesncookies.com
4) Make Every Experience a Lesson
Losing a job or not getting into the program you want can feel soul-crushing. But not everything in life works out the way that we want – it’s just the reality. However, what you can do is take a step back, look at the situation, and turn it into a learning experience. Ask yourself, what did this moment teach you about how you cope with disappointment? What could you have improved?
Doing this will take away the emphasis on the negative and have you thinking more positively about the full picture.
5) Write out Your Affirmations
When you think positive thoughts, you naturally become a more positive person. Writing out powerful affirmations that you believe in will shift the way you view your life and the world.
Try writing a few at the start of every day. “I deserve nothing less than happiness,” or “I am more powerful than the negative thoughts that occur in my head,” are some examples of common affirmations. Strengthening these positive thoughts and ideas in your mind will get you acting in accordance with them as well.
6) Surround yourself with Positive People
The people we associate ourselves with can influence the way we think. Building a network of people who want to better themselves every day and people that exude positive energy will inspire you to do the same. Inevitably their optimism will rub off on you.
7) Know That You’re in Control
This one may sound odd because there are a lot of things we’re not in control of. While we can’t control if someone rejects us nor the hurdles that life throws our way, what we can control is how we react and interpret these events. That makes all the difference.
For example, let’s say you recently got out of a relationship. One option is to dwell on the fact that you’re now single. Another option is to look at the situation as an opportunity. An opportunity to take this time alone to learn more about yourself, what you value, and to embrace your own individuality. At the end of the day, you have the power to see bad situations in a positive light. But trust us – it definitely takes some practice.
Developing and maintaining a positive mindset takes work and time. However, when you incorporate these tips into your daily life, you’ll start noticing the changes – more positivity, more motivation, and certainly more happiness.
