17 Ways To Stay Positive During Difficult Times

We’ve all received the well-intentioned advice to “stay positive.”

Sometimes though, it can be challenging to embrace that mindset.

It’s normal to feel skeptical about the power of wishful thinking. Especially when faced with real life challenges.

• The main challenge is that our brains are naturally wired to seek out and focus on threats.
• This instinct for survival was helpful in times when we were hunters and gatherers. At risk of harm from our immediate environment.That was ages ago.
• Today, this mechanism fosters a sense of pessimism and negativity. as our minds have an inclination to wander until they stumble upon perceived threats.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about 17 ways to stay positive during difficult times.

To stay positive, keep reading.

The benefits of staying positive in a negative world

Having an optimistic mindset enhances the quality of your life and relationships. It also offers significant benefits for your mental and physical well-being. Positive thinking has been scientifically proven to yield health advantages, such as:

1. Decreased likelihood of experiencing depression and stress
2. Improved health
3. Enhanced immune system, resulting in resistance to illnesses
4. Reduced risk of mortality, from cancer, respiratory conditions and infections
5. Extended lifespan

Given these benefits of staying positive in a negative world, it’s worth the effort!

Let’s jump in.

17 Effective Ways To Stay Positive

Staying optimistic involves being mindful of your emotions. Staying connected with yourself. Don’t allow fear to overpower you and make you believe that things won’t turn out well. Embrace the feedback that comes your way and understand that most aspects of life are not directed towards you personally.

1. Create a morning ritual

It can be challenging to stay positive as well as maintain a positive attitude in a negative world.

The quality of your life doesn’t solely depend on the circumstances you find yourself in.

• You have the ability to adjust how you perceive and interpret your life through emotional filters.
• These filters shape the stories we tell ourselves about our identity, capabilities and what we believe is attainable or not.
• The states of mind we frequently enter act as filters that determine whether we will discover effective strategies for success and develop empowering narratives.

So how can one bring about change in their outlook?

Morning rituals that have the potential to transform your life work by putting you in a state of positivity and empowerment that lasts throughout the day. One remarkable scientific finding is that you can actually alter your state by making significant changes to your physical well being.

This transformation can be initiated through practices, like affirmations and other morning rituals.

2. Change the wording

A “problem” is generally seen as a situation that presents difficulties or obstacles that need to be resolved. It can be associated with feelings of stress or frustration. On the other hand, a “challenge” is viewed as an opportunity for growth or progress.

The crux lies in the situation itself and the key lies in how we choose to address it.

When you label something as a “problem ” your mind tends to close off and finding a solution becomes more difficult. On the other hand, when you label it as a “challenge ” your mind opens up and actively seeks solutions.

To sum up, reframing it as a challenge increases the chance of a positive outcome by 1000%.

2. Remaining positive when things get tough

Keep in mind that tough times won’t last forever. They are in fact only temporary.

Whether you’re facing challenges:

• At work
• Experiencing difficulties in a relationship
• Feeling down due to struggles

Remember that these moments will eventually fade away.

If you distance yourself from the challenge, and look at it from a distance, you will not only remain positive, but will also find a solution to it.

So don’t give up and let the emotions control you and your life!

3. Participate in fun activities

Having fun is not only for kids. As we grow older we often lose touch with our inner child. We may dismiss it as the wrong type of behavior. However, engaging in enjoyable activities can actually help reduce stress and improve our mood.

Here are some suggestions for what you can do when everything seems to be going wrong;

1. Take a break from the situation. Shift your focus to something else.
2. Reading a book, listening to music or watching an entertaining movie or short clips can bring about a smile to your face.
3. If you’re seeking a fun activity make sure to steer clear of anything that might dampen your spirits. Instead choose something that ignites your inspiration.

Remember, taking time for yourself and engaging in pursuits can have a positive impact on your well being  (not to mention stay positive).

4. Always consider the big picture

When confronted with a situation it is natural for us to dwell on the negatives. However, it is crucial to catch ourselves and change our perspective.

Take a step back and consider the picture – is it truly as dire as it seems when we take all the facts into account?

This will allow us to recognize that things could have been much worse and enable us to explore solutions and available resources for overcoming the problem. By evaluating the context of any given situation we can maintain a mindset.

Remain focused, on what is still going well even when everything else appears to be falling apart.

5. Spend time with positive people who will encourage and support your goals

It is crucial to have a network of people who believe in you and your aspirations.

Make sure to stay away from indifferent individuals as they can drain your positive energy.

In this journey of life it doesn’t take effort to surround ourselves with role models as the people we encounter along the way greatly influence our ultimate success.

Read more: You are the average of the five people

6. Look for something to be thankful for every day

When you’re going through a tough time, it’s easy to forget all the good in your life. If your business fails or you lose someone important to you, remember those who always stand by you.

• Losing yourself in sadness may cause you to forget about them and how much they cared.
• Be grateful that someone else doesn’t have half of what you have.
• With such a mentality, you will be able to continue forward and gain the strength to deal with it positively.

7. Staying positive when faced with challenges

The toughest part about emotions is how overwhelming they can feel.

Every now and then we all encounter these moments; however you have the ability to transform your despair into optimism.

What matters most is how you handle the problem.

It’s not the severity of the issue that sets you apart; it’s how effectively you navigate a situation.

If you’re seeking ways to maintain an outlook, in adverse circumstances consider the following suggestions.

• Reframing the situation by looking at it from multiple perspectives
• Expressing gratitude for the good things in the bad situation
• Surrounding yourself with supportive people to triumph over challenges

8. Exercise regularly to improve your mood and energy levels

Waking up and starting your day with exercise can be an enjoyable experience. It will help you stay positive all day long.

Engaging in activity triggers the release of endorphins which are natural painkillers produced by our bodies. Research by Harvard Health demonstrated a 26% likelihood of avoiding depression by doing exercise, while enhancing mood, boost in energy levels, and reduced stress levels.

Additionally, staying active throughout the day not only improves physical fitness but – it also helps keep our minds sharp and focused!

• Start your day by going for a walk outdoors.
• Take the stairs instead of using the elevator or escalator.
• Joining a sports team is a great way to meet new people and stay active.
• Try yoga, pilates, or barre classes for low-impact exercises.
• Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often to ensure that your body stays hydrated.
• Sleep is important to avoid feeling tired during the day.

9. Look after yourself by eating well and drinking plenty of water

The best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is by having a diet and staying properly hydrated. These practices will give you the energy to endure hours at work or school while also ensuring that you stay refreshed throughout the day! It’s important to aim for eight glasses of water daily.

Don’t stress if you fall short, occasionally.

10. Avoid situations that cause you to stress or make you feel bad

It is important to maintain a mindset of the circumstances. Being in the company of individuals who constantly cause stress and anxiety can have effects on one’s physical well being.

Therefore it is advisable to create some distance from people whenever feasible.

That’s how you can stay positive!

11. Have a good time! Do things that make you happy and bring you joy

There are many ways to improve your life if you’re not content with it as is.

The most effective method I’ve discovered so far is manifesting and the law of attraction.

• Spend time doing things that make you happy, such as reading an intriguing novel or going on trips with your friends!
• Dedicate some time to choosing a hobby that you will enjoy.
• Create a daily routine that will make you feel cheerful and energetic in the morning.
• A well-cared-for body enables you to live a healthier, happier life. To do this, try incorporating routine practices like eating nutritiously, working out often, and getting enough restful sleep.
• Instead of spending time with people who bring out the worst in you, spend it with those who encourage and praise you.

To practice mindfulness, focus on staying present in the moment.

Get your daily dose of laughter by watching funny videos, reading jokes, or attending comedy shows.

12. Pick your words carefully

The choice of words has an impact, on both our self esteem and that of others. Each word we choose elicits a response. For instance if someone accuses us of being wrong our reaction will differ from when they label us as liars.

Although it may be tempting to express annoyance by saying “I’m angry” or “I’m furious ” it often intensifies our anger instead.

• Rather than lashing out with harsh words, try expressing that you are merely annoyed.
• When you’re in the midst of a tough time, your mindset matters.
• If you remind yourself that you’re resilient and can make it through any situation, your mind will internalize that strength.
• This knowledge empowers you to think positively about yourself and your life, even when times are tough.

By developing our strengths not also in areas like willpower and adaptability we become more hopeful individuals. This newfound strength allows us to approach challenging problems, with greater ease.

13. Change your environment to change your state

The surroundings you are in can greatly impact your productivity and outlook. It’s important to ensure that you are in a supportive environment to maintain a mindset and achieve high levels of productivity. If you aim to stay upbeat and content all day long, begin by focusing on creating a home environment.

• After you wake up and eat breakfast, clear the table and clean the dishes.
• If the weather is good, open the curtains to let in fresh air and sunlight.
• When you get to work, make sure everything is in working order at your workstation.
• Arrange your workstation and place all items necessary to complete your task in an efficient manner, then discard whatever you don’t need.

By keeping a positive attitude and developing positive relationships with your coworkers, you will gain the energy to help others when needed, which creates a snowballing effect of positivity.

Also, make an effort to speak kindly to those around you. They will have a beneficial influence on both you and the people around you.

14. Use positive visualization

Constantly engaging in thinking can greatly affect your life if you fail to cultivate a mindset.

When you constantly undermine yourself it becomes challenging to recognize the potential for goodness in ventures.

To create an improved outlook on life,it is beneficial to visualize the future you desire and dedicate yourself to putting in the effort.

• Find a place where you can be relaxed and solo.
• Get comfortable by sitting with your spine straight, feet flat on the floor, and hands resting in your lap.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths (in through your nose and out through your mouth) for about five minutes, concentrating on your breathing.
• Visualize yourself accomplishing a specific goal or achieving something significant; look for different methods to bring this vision to reality – as if it were happening right now.
• Consider how you will feel when you reach this goal, what emotions will fill you up on the inside, and so on.

Try to remember specifics about what you’re visualizing. You do this to hang on to those feelings when they happen in reality.

Once you finish going through these steps slowly open your eyes. Come back to the moment. You will feel refreshed and energized.

To achieve your desired outcome make sure to follow these steps on a basis!

This method is especially effective for short term goals like acing a test or getting to know someone. However, for long term aspirations it may be necessary to put in effort and dedication.

Read more: Visualization Techniques

15. Maintain a positive attitude at work

Even if you feel like giving up or being upset about something it’s important to learn how to mentally bounce back after a challenging day. Remember that there will always be another opportunity or chance in life so don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Good things usually take time to happen; they’re not instantaneous. Of dwelling on past regrets, try focusing on the positive aspects next time. It’s important to maintain your composure around people who make us feel uneasy because often they are just preoccupied with their own concerns.

16. Maintain a positive attitude when bad things keep happening

Think about the aspects of your life like your loved ones and close friends. To remind yourself of all the things that have happened to you, try keeping a gratitude journal.

If you want to cultivate self compassion, start by treating yourself with kindness and gentleness.

You can make a difference in someone’s life by volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating clothes and toys to organizations.

When it comes to relaxation, consider practicing meditation or yoga.

Exploring nature through activities, like hiking and biking is also a way to enjoy your spare time.

17. Avoid negative media sources

When I mention media I’m not just referring to television. Even the negative news stories we come across every day can have an impact on us.

Although we can’t always control what others read or watch, it’s important for us to make an effort to safeguard ourselves from influences.

The media aims to provoke emotions in both us and those around us and that isn’t beneficial, for anyone involved.

 

Conclusion

Here are 17 different ways to stay positive, regardless of your circumstances in life.

By implementing these strategies you can effectively navigate through life’s challenges and obstacles.

• One important factor in staying positive is to reduce our consumption of media content.
• It’s crucial to limit our exposure to news. Instead focus on things that bring us value and uplift our spirits.
• Television shows and media content often instill fear and uncertainty (FUD) in our minds.
• Cultivating an attitude contributes significantly to our overall well being and happiness.
• Practices like mindfulness and focusing on the aspects of life are excellent alternatives that promote positivity.

These techniques can help us stay positive, no matter what circumstances we face in our lives.