It has been such a long time since I have posted. So much has happened in the last few months - I don't even know where to begin! I had my formal and Valedictory and am just about to finish my high school exams. The year has flown by in the blink of an eye - cheesy, but it couldn't be anymore true! There has been lots of tears but also lots of laughter throughout the year. This year, has been a roller coaster in terms of emotions and thought processes for me. I have had my highs and I also hit rock bottom; I made it out though. I am by no means a 'positive' person - I try my best to be but sometimes it feels really difficult. Here is one thing that has really opened my eyes.
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2014/04/09/how-to-stay-positive/
This is the first article I have seen of Henrik Edberg and it will definitely not be the last! His tips have really helped me tonight. They are simple, but they can be easily implemented into your life.
1. Find the optimistic viewpoint in a negative situation
2. Cultivate and live in a positive environment
3. Go slowly
4. Don't build a mountain out of a molehill
5. Don't let vague fears hold you back from doing what you want
6. Add value and positivity to someone else's life
7. Exercise regularly and eat and sleep well
8. Learn to take criticism in a healthy way
9. If something still gets under your skin then know what to do
10. Start your day in a positive way
11. Mindfully move through your day
(Disclaimer: not my own tips - from the website listed above)
Sometimes in life, the best thing you can do is laugh. When you want to cry, laugh; even if it is forced and fake, it helps. Let it out. The quote "not every day is good, but there is something good in every day" is true; you might have a totally crappy day but there will always be something (even if it the tiniest thing) that will be good. Even if it is that your hair cooperated for once or you did not feel any pain in your body, it is there. Something good has happened and something good will happen the next day, and the next day, and the next. The key to finding something positive in a bad day is perception. The way you perceive things can really make a difference.
Many underestimate the power and value of surrounding themselves with positive and motivated people. This positivity and motivation rubs off on you. If you surround yourself with people that are constantly judging others and finding the negative in everything, after a period, you will too. It is unavoidable. You may not notice, but your environment is a huge influence to your behaviours, attitudes and thought processes. Get rid of the negativity in your life; close the door on the people who make you feel insignificant and who bring out your inner pessimist.
When you feel stressed, anxious or even depressed, rushing things and moving at a fast pace can make you feel a thousand times worse! Be gentle with yourself and give yourself the time you need. Running as fast as you can to the finish line of a race to the point of hurting yourself, will stop you from completing the race or even leave you with other problems. Starting out at a good pace, will enable you to build momentum and finish the race in a manageable way. If you go to bed feeling anxious, do not wake up at the crack of dawn and start your day immediately; everything will compound and feel a whole lot worse. Start your morning slowly; maybe do some yoga or meditation; you could even just read a book or lie in bed listening to your favourite upbeat and positive music. This will give you the needed time to reflect and try to sort out your emotions and thought processes
When you feel yourself slipping into negativity, or you realise you are going downhill, do not ignore it. The most helpful thing I have found to interrupt my depressive thoughts is to scrapbook and listen to my favourite music. I have a box of memories and mementos from the last couple of years that I put together in a book. Looking through the memories and seeing how far I have come, really inspires me to keep fighting. Do something for yourself that will help break the negativity. Even if it is driving into a secluded forest and screaming at the top of your lungs, get it out. Do not let the situation or your thought processes get worse.
One of the worst things you can do is let fear stop you from living your life and doing something you really want to do. Sometimes you really need to listen to your heart instead of your head! Regret is a very powerful emotion that controls many people's lives. Before you say 'no' to trying something new (that does not impact your health or others) take a step back and think: how will I feel after when I haven't done it? Will I regret not doing it? The best example I can think of right now is bungee jumping. I know I want to go bungee jumping at some stage in my life but I also know that standing on the edge and looking down, I will be absolutely terrified! What I also know is that if I chickened out, I would be really disappointed and regret it. It is only a few minutes of your life. In a matter of minutes it will be over; whether I enjoy it or not, it will be over and I can reflect on the experience. I will move on with my life and experience new things.
Like Justin Timberlake said "what goes around comes around". I firmly believe this; in respect to being good to others and feeling the effects of doing this and also karma. Even if it doesn't happen in this life, you will be rewarded later; whether that is in the form of someone helping you out when you really need it or even simply just achieving something great. Your actions define you; they represent who you are as a person. If you a good and pure to someone, purity will return to you in the future. If you inflict harm on another or hurt someone, chances are, you are the one that has been harmed the most. I believe that bad things happen to good people so that they can appreciate the good. The negativity can strengthen them. If only good things ever happened to the 'bad' people, they will not know how to deal with the bad things; they will not develop any further. In my eyes, the 'good' people are better off!
Not only is fitness good for one's health in terms of lowering the risks of obesity, diabetes and other illnesses, fitness releases serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is is often associated with 'good feelings'. When you work out or are physically active, serotonin is released in the brain. It is linked with lowering the risks of depression. For some people, eating 'healthy' can really benefit them, in terms of lowering stress and increasing self esteem. A good nights sleep is a huge component of maintaining positivity also. During the sleep cycle, memories and thoughts are consolidated. The body and mind repairs itself and gets ready for the next day. Without the proper sleep, trying to be positive the next day could be really difficult.
Criticism is key to development. If no one offers helpful criticism, how will you ever improve or better yourself? Not all criticism is necessarily a bad thing - choose what you take on board and use it to further your growth. Being open to other's opinions will open so many more doors and opportunities for you and also strengthen your ability to be open. If someone judges how you do something or the way you dress, let it motivate you to make a choice. You can either let it get to you, strive to perform better or you could let it inspire you to keep dressing the way you like!
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things still get to us. The important thing though is to know how to handle them and eventually eliminate the negative feelings. Doing something you enjoy and that makes you happy is a really effective way of combating negativity. Surround yourself with close friends and family and like I said above, be gentle with yourself. Recognise when things are getting too much and take action to not let them get too far. If you feel like you are really struggling, then breathe. Just keep breathing.
Beginning your day in a positive way is a great way to better equip you with the tools to deal with future struggles. Do something in the morning that makes you happy and that makes you feel good. Whether it is going for a run, or listening to music, or even just having a shower; do it! It will really change your day and you for the better. Your mentality changes when you are happy and you will be better able to hand problems that arise.
Focus on the now. Instead of worrying about what will happen tomorrow or in a weeks time, focus on today. To get to the future, you need to be in the present. Even if you take the day hour by hour, you will move forward. Enjoy the little things in life because after a while you may realise they weren't so little. Live for today so that you can live for tomorrow.
I am by no means a professional. This is simply my thoughts on the website listed above on the various tips and tricks that were outlined in the article.
Peace!
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