Staying Positive During Challenging Times

Life has a way of throwing twists, turns and unexpected curveballs, making it hard to keep your head up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Learning to cope during challenging times can be difficult, but once you figure out how to stay positive, there’s comfort to be found. Life may be tough, but always know that you have the resources to get through it.

Even during a global pandemic, it is important to stay optimistic and maintain a positive mindset. Here’s how to do it:

Find the positive in a negative situation

It is important to practice gratitude because it has a way of making people happier, improving their relationships and even counteracting depression. By seeing the positive in a negative situation, you are allowing your favorable thoughts to overcome the negative ones, which is a powerful mind game that makes you mentally stronger. Try asking yourself these questions:

• What is one thing that is positive about this situation?
• What is one opportunity within this situation?
• What doors have this situation opened for me?

Cultivate a positive environment

Who you choose to be surrounded by has a huge effect on your outlook on a certain situation. It is essential to have positive influencers in your life that support you and try to lift you up rather than drag you down. How you choose to live every day during a negative situation also affects how you feel. Instead of moping around and being a couch potato, try exercising or getting fresh air outside. Cultivating a positive environment and surrounding yourself with the right people can make a bad situation flip around.

Stay distracted

Keeping your mind distracted during difficult times helps move those negative thoughts aside. Staying active, eating and sleeping well are great ways to distract you. Exercise helps relieve tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances well-being through the release of endorphins. Another way to keep your mind off of a bad situation is to find a new hobby that you enjoy and look forward to everyday.

Take it day by day

Although we are currently in a time of uncertainty, it is important to take the situation day by day. Stress and anxiety may build up, but by slowing down for just a few minutes, your mind and body can take it easy, and it becomes easier to think things through clearly again. Always try to find the optimistic and constructive perspective.

Please remember to practice safe social distancing during this time and remember to wash your hands regularly. As we temporarily transition to a telehealth platform, please call your local Garcia center to book your telehealth visit today.

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