Life doesn’t always run smoothly and when things don’t go our way, it can be easy to get sucked into negative thinking. While no one expects you to be overtly happy during tough times, it is possible not to let negativity drag you down. We have some tips on how you can try to stay positive when life doesn’t go as planned.
Practice gratitude.
Sometimes, all you need to avoid running on negativity is to shift your focus onto what you do have in your life. Every day, write a gratitude list of things in your life that you are grateful for. This could be everything from having a roof over your head – to smaller things – like blooming flowers.
Be of service.
Nothing can get you outside of your own head like helping another person in need. Being of service to another person – whether it’s simply listening to a friend talk or helping someone move – can help you forget about your own problems and will boost your spirits.
Don’t play the victim.
It’s easy to start pointing the finger when things don’t go our way. But that gets us nowhere. By taking responsibility and understanding our part in things, we can take action and steps toward growth and productive change. If we don’t place blame, we can also avoid forming toxic resentments that will plunge us into negativity.
Work on things you can control.
We cannot control people, places and things. But if your boss is giving you a hard time, work harder to do the best job possible and be a team player. If your living situation seems uncertain, start to proactively work toward a solution. When we focus on the problem and not the answer, we get nowhere.
Read or do something that inspires you.
Pull that unread copy of The Art of Happiness off of your bookshelf. Or go write some music. Dive into something that inspires you and can shift your thinking.
Surround yourself with positive people.
You don’t need a bunch of “yes men” in your life, but it certainly can help to stick with people who are focused on gratitude and positivity. When things aren’t going well, positive people can help to lift your spirits and remind you that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. If you are in recovery, look for a local group meeting to attend for support, or reach out to a counselor or friend you may have become close to during your alcohol or drug treatment.
Exercise.
Working out gives you more energy and releases endorphins in your brain – which will naturally bring your mood up. Keep in mind that sometimes, the days we want to work out the least are the days we need it the most. So put aside your excuses that you’re too tired or upset to exercise and get moving, even if it’s just for a 30-minute walk.
Move forward.
You cannot change the past. Every day is an opportunity to start anew and while you might need to clear some of the wreckage of the past, understand that while you can’t change it, you can learn from it. Take these experiences with you and use it as motivation to move forward into a new chapter of your life.
