Bee positive

Do you ever feel that all you hear is bad news?  Covid is still around us, events in Ukraine are hitting the headlines and don’t forget the cost of living crisis.  Perhaps you have personal worries to contend with too – it could be a health concern or family trouble.  Negative thinking can very easily take over our minds and we see the glass as being half empty instead of half full.  So how do we stay positive in a world of negative thinking?

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Regular exercise, a healthy diet and a good night’s sleep are the starting point.  Too much sugar can lead to a slump in your mood and then things start to become more negative.  A brisk walk affects your mood in a positive way and reduces stress too.

Surround yourself with positive people

Did you know that there are two types of people in the world?  There are “drainers” who bleed you dry from energy and positivity and then there are the “radiators” who boost your mood and positive thoughts ie a conversation with them will put a smile on your face.  Their positivity will rub off on you and make you feel better about yourself and your situation.  Try to be a “radiator” too as no one wants to spend time with a “drainer”.

Look out for humour

Smiling and laughing is allowed – in fact, it is actively encouraged.  Look out for humour in everyday life – this may be reading an uplifting book, watching an old episode of Dad’s Army on TV instead of the news or following humorous businesses on social media. 

Focus on good things

We all face challenges in life but try to focus on the good parts of the challenge ie find the silver lining in the cloud.  Sometimes someone cancels a coffee date on me at the last minute.  I might start to think negative things about the person and feel that they didn’t think much of me as a friend otherwise they wouldn’t have cancelled on me.  But their reason for cancellation is genuine and I shouldn’t go down those dark roads.  Instead I should think what I can do with the extra time – perhaps I could use the time to get caught up on some housework, go for a walk or have a coffee with my book.

“If you see the world and yourself through a lens smudged by negativity, then you’ll find much misery.  If you look outwards and upwards through lens brightened by positivity, you’ll find much to be happy and appreciative about.”  

Henrik Edberg

Write a journal entry about gratitude

Studies have shown that writing down what you’re grateful for can improve your optimism and sense of well-being.  Even though you have had a hard day, there must be some things that you are grateful for – maybe it’s the extra nice flat white in the coffee shop, the unexpected opportunity to write another blog or a bee on a beautiful flower that you spotted when out for a walk.  Take a few minutes to write a journal entry solely about gratitude.

Practice positive self-talk

We are our own worst enemies and love to criticise ourselves.  For example, I could think that I’m not a good enough writer to write blogs but instead I should focus on the positive aspect that I enjoy writing them and at least one person will give some positive feedback on it (usually one of my radiators)!  So practice some positive self-talk instead of letting those negative thoughts run away with themselves.

Start every day positively

Tell yourself it’s going to be another great day.  Put on some happy music – this could be your favourite radio station or a “happy” playlist on Spotify.  Have some positive and uplifting quotes on your walls to raise your mood.

“A positive attitude causes a chain of reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.”

Wade Boggs

Today try to think that your glass of life is half full rather than half empty and take some small steps to be more positive.  You will feel better for it, both mentally and physically.