With the easy access to the news these days and the amount of increased hours people spend on social media it can be difficult to stay positive. There is so much that can contribute to our mood. Today I want to discuss ways in which we can try to stay positive through the craziness of life. I would just like to state beforehand that I’m not a doctor or a scientist. These are simply just tips and tricks that help make my days brighter 🙂
- Be Present
When I went out to eat recently, I noticed that at least half of the people in the room were on their phones. I seriously wonder why these people even bothered leaving their house if they were just going to be on their phones. Now, I totally understand if you simply wanted to get a meal by yourself and you look at your phone while eating for entertainment purposes. I also get that there are other exceptions for using your phone such as work lunch meetings, etc.
But if you are out to eat with friends and family and you are on your phone the whole time, then please listen to this advice. BE PRESENT. If you are on your phone, you are missing precious time with your loved ones. Also, it’s kind of rude to be on your phone while out to eat but that’s a whole other story.
If you get off social media for just an hour or two, you can spend more time making memories with the people you care about. Plus, I personally find it exhausting to be constantly looking at my phone while I’m trying to have a conversation with the person in front of me. This is also more time that you aren’t comparing yourself to others on social media, which brings me to my next point….
- Limit Social Media
My second tip is to cut back or at least limit your social media intake. What people post on social media is only a piece of their lives. Of course, they are only going to show the best parts of it. It’s also important to consider that photos are edited a lot of the time. So when you are looking at someone else’s photos or posts, take everything with a grain of salt. Comparing yourself to someone else and their journey is not healthy. Everyone is unique and special in their own way. So why are you striving to be exactly like someone else?
In addition to this, so many news stories pop up on social media everyday. It can be overwhelming to handle that all day everyday. If you really like to stay up to date on the latest news, I suggest setting aside a specific time everyday that you go and check for updates. Or you can subscribe to an online or paper newspaper and read that daily.
- Exercise
Exercise is really important for not only your physical health but for your mind as well since it causes your brain to release endorphins. Releasing these endorphins helps to improve your mood. Now I’m not saying go run a marathon. But there are so many ways that we can move our bodies and actually enjoy exercise rather than dreading it. Instead of doing an intense workout that we aren’t physically equipped for, I suggest just moving when you can. Incorporate a standing desk into your routine. Take a walk on your lunch break. Do a zumba class. Go to the park with friends and play frisbee. The point is that there are many small steps that we can take to get our bodies moving.
- Get Outside
Getting outside can help you get Vitamin D regularly. There is something calming about being in nature as well. It gives you a chance to clear your mind and refocus, especially if you had a busy day. Just make sure that you wear your sunscreen when you are outdoors.
Some examples of incorporating both going outside and exercising are walking outside while talking on the phone with a friend, swimming in an outdoor pool or the ocean in the summertime or going on a hike with your partner. Also, I find personally that being outside, even for just a few minutes each day helps me sleep better at night.
- Make a Call & Volunteer
Another tip for trying to stay positive is staying in touch with friends and family. Sometimes when I’m feeling down, I’ll text or call a friend to see how they are doing. Because being there for someone else makes me feel better. Plus talking with a friend will help get you out of your own thoughts and into the conversation. You can also share how things are going with you and your friend can provide advice or a shoulder to cry on (if they are a good friend that is).
Other ways of helping others can include volunteering for trash cleanups, soup kitchens, assisting the elderly and much more. I know I always feel good helping others. Seeing things from another perspective can be helpful too. You will soon realize that you aren’t the only one dealing with challenges in life. But helping others will make you feel grateful for what you do have. Which brings me to my next point…
- Positive Quotes and Being Grateful
The last tip to keep in mind when you are feeling down is to follow positive quotes pages on social media or to get an app with positive affirmations. I follow a lot of positive quote pages on Instagram, so when I’m down I just scroll through and read some. This usually gets me in a better head space. The last tip is to write down a few things daily that you are grateful for. When you do this, it makes you appreciate what you do have instead of harping on what you don’t.
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