I know how hard it can be to stay positive when you are feeling sad, anxious or stressed. It is the last thing on your mind. You are so focused on the situation or person that has brought you down you cannot see anything else.
You cannot think about a way out. You only feel the impact of the negativity. And what is the first thing you stop taking care of? YOU! I don’t mean you stop showering (or maybe you do) but you stop all the enjoyment you allow yourself to usually have every day. Maybe you start eating foods that make you feel bad, or don’t exercise or watch your favorite shows. You treat yourself poorly, which then makes you feel worse! That has to stop!
Staying positive requires work but you can do it and you will feel better even though you may be going through a rough patch. If you practice a few exercises every day, you are more likely to sustain your positive outlook and things will get brighter.
- Remembering a happy time. Write it down and go to it whenever you feel down. The memory most likely will put a smile on your face and let you be in that moment of happiness to remind you good times aren’t far away.
- Exercise. Exercise is not just for the body, it is also for the brain! Being active helps you to increase your energy, gives you a sense of accomplishment, reduces insomnia and can often act as an anti-depressant. Who doesn’t feel good after exercising? You don’t have to do a lot or even have a routine. Just get your body moving! Walk, run, dance, jog, run up and down stairs. Whatever works for you!
- Relationships make the world a better place. Even if your good friends or family are not at school with you, you can call, write an email, text or face-time. There are so many ways to connect now with people who love you and know you best. Don’t shut them out when you are feeling down. Let them in and you will feel better having time with your loved ones.
- Acts of kindness. One of the best ways to feel good is to help others. Knowing you did something for someone else gives you a sense of being needed and helpfulness. You made the other person feel good with your help and you in turn will often feel better about yourself. Volunteer your time or spend the day just doing random acts of kindness for no reason. It works!
- Be kind to yourself. Write down things you like about yourself and keep them where you can see them. Remind yourself of those good qualities and the things you have to be grateful for in your life. You must be able to come up with at least five things!
- Relaxation. Everyone has different ways of relaxing. You need to embrace yours. Whether it be meditating, breathing exercises, reading a book, listening to music, or watching a show. Whatever it takes to relax your mind and distract you from the stress, do it!
- Journaling. I often get weird looks about this but it helps! Everyone needs to release their feelings. Having a journal allows you to do this without having to censor yourself in anyway. It is for you and you only. You can say whatever you are feeling and not be judged or questioned. You can then reread the entry after some time and you may understand better how you felt and have a new perspective on it because the emotions are not out.
