Life can be full of challenges but it is possible to stay positive and optimistic even during difficult times.
By following these 10 actionable steps you can cultivate a positive outlook on life and a healthy mindset that will help you to overcome any obstacle and thrive in the face of adversity. There is more to you than what your world has seen.
You can carry yourself with grace and nobility knowing you will come out to the other side with an amazing story to tell future generations. Let’s get right into it.
Practice Gratitude
“With eyes to see the sunset glow, with ears to hear what I would hear. Forgive me Lord when I whine indeed the whole world is mine”
Maya Angelou, Daystar, Still I rise
Even if we are to lose everything we own, there is still something we can be grateful for. There are still a million reasons to give thanks. You are alive, there is breath in your lungs. It spells that there is hope for you. Gratitude means we are thankful and appreciative, focusing on what we have and not what we lack.
We are training our minds to see the positive aspects of our lives rather than dwelling on the negative. It can even boost our physical and mental well-being.
One study from the University of California published in the Journal for Psychosomatic Medicine in 2005, it was found that people who kept a gratitude journal for just two weeks were more optimistic, and felt better about their lives. They also had more positive emotions, fewer physical symptoms of illness, and better sleep quality. The study also showed that their brain activity was even more attuned to positivity and rewards.
Be grateful to God, that you are here in this moment in time. There is so much you can be grateful for – everything. The air you breathe, the tweeting birds, well since you can hear the birds, the hearing, you are healthy no matter where it is. The fact that you are alive. The food you have eaten someone cannot eat anymore. There is hope for you, find it in you to express gratitude. There is no such thing as overly grateful so bring the whole machine guns on it.
It might help if you say it out aloud, a grateful that am alive, am grateful that I can smile, and let the list go on and on
In everything give thanks.
Live in the present now
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself, sufficient is today’s troubles. This was Jesus speaking.
Yesterday is already gone, and tomorrow is not promised to anyone the best you and I can do is to live in the now. Enjoy and savor every moment you have. Take a moment to watch your loved one smile, taste the food, and enjoy it. Enjoy even your breathing.
Let go of all the clutter in your mind and your soul focus on one thing at a time and enjoy it regardless of what it is. If you are worrying about something realize that your worrying will not change it.
Worrying will only change you negatively, do not do it. Buy those shoes, eat that cake, or go for that drive you have been wanting to go so much on and enjoy it.
Take a deep breath, say a prayer to the Creator, and give thanks. This moment is all you have to make the most of it. You are here in 2024, in that specific area, right where you need to be. Be here. In this moment God will be revealing heaven to you. Be here Now.
Develop An Unshakeable belief system
Those who have a why to live can bear with any how _Viktor Frankl
You need to build a belief system that builds and gives the power into your hands. Your Belief system should give you purpose not only in this life but even in the one to come. It should connect you to a bigger story much bigger than yourself. It should show you who you are, where you came from, your purpose, and how to execute it. For me, that system is faith in Jesus. I need a God who is wiser than me, stronger than me, more experienced than me. My faith is the bedrock of my life. It is the thing that governs whatever I go through. I can find rest because my faith not only gives me assurance for the next life but for this one too. When a mountain comes my way I speak and watch it move and be thrown into the sea. Have Faith. One study from Oxford University People who have religious beliefs tend to have lower rates of depression and anxiety and they are also more likely to report higher levels of happiness. They found that this positive effect was particularly strong for Christians. Another Study from Baylor University found that people who attended weekly religious services were more likely to be happier, report positive emotions, social support, and meaning in their life. Develop faith in someone bigger than you-God.
Practice self-Compassion
Self-compassion is giving yourself the kindness you would give to others to yourself. It does not make you weak or look weak, it’s a sign of strength to be kind and understanding to yourself. Be kind to yourself and let that kindness overflow to others all around. It does not mean to indulge yourself rather it means making the best decisions for you. You are being kind to yourself so that you can be kind to others. It does not make you selfish. It does not mean beating yourself down when you make a mistake. You accept yourself as you are, with all your flaws and mistakes, you are kind and caring to yourself. You are choosing what’s best for you. Be kind to yourself and that kindness will overflow. Take the right path even if it’s painful, and make the best of every moment.
Stay around positive People
Hang around the dreamers, the doers, the believers, the achievers, and the happy soon enough it is you who will be all these things. Hang around the sad, the depressed, and the giving up and you will be all these things too. Your company and the people around you are an extension of who you are. You do not get happier by hanging around people who are rather the opposite. Go where people are celebrating, dreaming, are planning, and soon that positive energy will be yours too. You cannot deal with depression by listening to horror stories rather you listen to stories of hope, tales of restoration, and of how love came to be. Choose your circle actively and wisely. A study from Harvard called Positive Social Connections and Health found out that, People with strong social links are 50% more likely to survive than those who do not. Another study called Happy Together found that people in happy relationships have lower levels of stress hormones and lower blood pressure
Choose your Circle passionately and Actively.
Practice self-care
Take care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and otherwise. Take time to relax, bath, read a book, or take a walk. Learn to get enough sleep as sleep is good for our well-being. They say a healthy body, a healthy mind. Find a hobby, and connect with some friends. No man is an island. You are not only here for yourself but for so much more too. Be happy you are here and do what you love. Keep your body, mind, and spirit in peak operation. It’s a huge step to staying positive