Recently I was asked to facilitate a seminar on positivity. Normally, I’d jump at the opportunity because I love sharing — and experiencing — the good juju. But nothing seems normal lately and truth be told, I wasn’t feeling very positive. These are challenging times (ya think?) and I just didn’t feel up to leading the seminar. So, I decided to…um, okay, to do it!
Why? Because I knew I needed a shot of positivity as much as anyone. The show must go on, fake it ’til you make it, just say yes…all that jazz. And you know what? It worked! I stepped up to the positivity plate and came away feeling much more optimistic and happier. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few tools from the seminar that I hope will help you cope when feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed.
Keep in mind: We can only control our thoughts, actions and reactions. A positive outlook is a choice and doesn’t depend on external circumstances (which, btw, is most likely out of our control anyhow).
The Power of Positive Thinking
Smile
Don’t feel like smiling? Do it anyway. Act “as if.” Smiling actually changes brain chemistry, which improves your mood. Don’t delay; put on a happy face now! 😀
Breathe deeply
The breath is the pulse of the mind; slow your breath, calm your mind. Stand tall and enjoy deep, full inhalations, followed by slow exhalations… a simple, instant and effective mood lifter.
Practice gratitude
Dr. Olivia suggests getting in the habit of focusing on at least one thing you’re grateful for. You simply cannot be grateful and unhappy at the same time.
Hang with an upbeat friend
Want to feel more positive? Spend time with positive people. The vibes are contagious! If you’re stuck in a downward spiral, talk to someone who can help you put things into perspective and not feed into negativity.
Move
In addition to being good for your overall health, moderate exercise releases endorphins (aka, happy hormones). It improves mental well being and decreases mild depression and anxiety. Take a walk, stretch, twist & shout!
Eat (a little) chocolate
High-quality dark chocolate contains compounds such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, which are linked to the stimulation of “feel good” neurotransmitters. In other words, chocolate = happiness!
Be kind to yourself
Relax your standards. Strive to be as compassionate and gentle with yourself as you are with dear friends.
One of the most beneficial ways to improve your mood is by being aware of and accepting what you can’t change. Acceptance is easier than railing against a situation out of your control.
To shift negative thinking and become more aware of habitual, reactive, negative thoughts, try the STOP method:
S – Smile (you’ll feel better)
T – Take a breath (you’ll calm down)
O – Observe (label the feelings, let go)
P – Proceed (with positivity)
Repeat as often as needed. 🖐
