How To Stay Positive in 9 Steps

I would say that I’m a pretty positive person. At least I try to be. I don’t let stressful situations bother me too much and it’s only on a rare occasion that I will feel totally down and in the dumps. I’ve been living my life in a more positive way over the last few years and thought I would share some tips for staying positive so you can be happy in everything you do.

Sleep more

Sleeping has a direct impact on how we operate through out the day, or so says science. Getting the recommended amount of sleep will not only aid in your health but make you less grumpy in the morning. Your energy will also be improved, allowing you to go about your day with a bounce in your step.

Start your day on a happy note

Waking up and being grateful for a new day can instantly turn a grumpy morning into a good one. When you start your day on a high note, your happiness and confidence just naturally follows suit. I like to take time to do things that I enjoy as a part of my morning routine. If that means waking up a little earlier to brew up your favourite cup of coffee or just spending a little extra time primping yourself, do it! Smile, and tell yourself that it’s going to be a wonderful day.

Try to stay in the present

One of the main things I’ve learned over the past year or so is to try to stay in the present moment as much as possible. Letting your mind wander to past experiences or trying to predict the future can set you either in a state of unhappiness or anxiousness. Try to remind yourself throughout the day that life is what’s happening right now, at this very moment, and you can’t change the past or predict the future.

Spread positivity to someone else’s life

I always find that spreading positivity to someone else puts me in an even greater mood. Try thinking about something nice you can do for someone else every day. It can be something small like buying your co-workers donuts or giving a compliment to a stranger.

Spend more time with people who make you happy

It’s true that hanging around negative people will cause you to feel negative in some way as well. One of the worst things you can do is feed into someone else’s negativity. Instead, try to limit your time with these types of people and don’t take their burdens onto your own shoulders. Happy people, on the other hand, lift your spirits and bring joy to your life. Think about the types of people you want to surround yourself with and if you can, make adjustments to your inner circle, for the benefit of your own mental health.

If something bothers you, deal with it

Dwelling on something only extends the course of negative thinking. If something comes up that puts you in bad spirits, deal with it as soon as possible. Dealing with a situation and moving on is something I’ve become quite good at, and I think it goes hand in hand with the “stay in the present moment” idea as well.

Don’t let small issues become big ones

If you continue to dwell on a situation, it will usually start a snowball effect. The problem becomes larger than it needed to be had you just squashed it in the beginning.

Don’t get wrapped up in other people’s problems

Other people will always have their problems. They appreciate a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen, but the thing to remember here is to not let those problems become a part of your own life. You can do whatever you can to help out a friend or family member, but taking on some of the weight of their own issues will only transfer some of that negativity to your own life. Remember that things will work out and that you can support them, but try not to let their emotions or problems affect your own life or way of living.

Find positivity in a negative situation

I used to complain a lot. I don’t even know why I would. Even stuff that wasn’t really a big deal would have me complaining about some small issue. I’ve definitely learned to control those urges by finding the positivity in a negative situation. It’s actually pretty easy to do, and once you start doing it often it sort of becomes second nature. If something bad happens or you’re stuck in an annoying situation, try to tell yourself that everything is cool, and it will pass. There is always a positive way you can handle something, or a negative way. Choosing the positive way will save you from feeling stressed/angry/upset about a situation.

I hope you liked these bits of advice. I’m not an expert or anything, obviously, but I’ve really found these things to work for my own life and believe they can help others as well!  What would you tell somebody if they were going through a rough time or dealing with a negative situation?

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By Dana Fox

Founder of the Wonder Forest blog and brand and bestselling author of the Watercolor With Me book series.

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