Listen to music with uplifting lyrics and beats. Read and seek out positive content through books. Follow organizations and websites that promote positivity such as Upworthy or Little Things. [2] X Research source [3] X Research source

Lower levels of distress and rates of depression Increased lifespan Help with better coping skills during hardships Improved immune system

Challenge any assumptions you may be having about yourself or the situation you are in. Change the language you use when speaking. Change “He hates me and is just trying to drive me crazy” to “Yes, he was not nice, but maybe he is having a really difficult day today. ”

Make sure you relish small pleasures as well as big ones. [8] X Research source If you are still struggling, you can purchase gratitude journals online, or utilize gratitude journal applications on your smartphone with prompts to help you. Work on your gratitude journal at night, so you can end with a positive attitude about every day.

Agree on a short time limit (5 minutes) to engage the negative thinking. Acknowledge it, give it time and space, and then say enough, and move on with positive thinking and reframing. Get involved in a positive activity until the negative thoughts subside, like helping someone, calling a friend, or exercising. Sing your favorite songs so that the lyrics are what you are focusing on instead of your negative thoughts.

Where? Instead of looking outward for happiness and positivity (e. g.

  • a good job, a nice house, money), look inward (e. g.
  • contentment, pride, intelligence). [11] X Research source When? Make happiness and positivity your top goal, search and look for it all the time. Linger on little positive moments, seek out the knowledge and skills from the world and others. [12] X Research source

Think of the funniest joke you know. Remember a happy memory. Look at pictures or mementos that make you smile. Read an uplifting story.

Professional mental health workers, like psychologists or counselors, are trained to help you discover what is happening and help you reach your goal of getting back to your positive self.

If it is a work situation or other situation that you cannot walk away from, try to make the interactions as brief as possible. [18] X Research source

Write down a list of the people you spend the most time with. Consider what you observe to be their primary qualities. Note if you feel they add to or take away from your positivity, or how you feel after spending time with them.

Help someone you know. Volunteer at a local church serving meals. Work for a larger non-profit organization. Engage in advocacy.

Keeping positive includes allowing yourself time to “recharge your batteries,” which you can do by practicing self care.

Eating regularly and eating well. Getting good quality sleep and enough hours of sleep. Attending to any medical needs or medical problems you have been having. Ascetic self care such as pampering yourself with a home spa day.

Practicing meditation. Engaging counseling services like individual therapy. Performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing. Using visualization to see yourself succeeding.

Participating in fun activities. Talking with someone you have not seen in a while Giving yourself something to look forward to like a vacation. Create a morning ritual that you love. [28] X Research source

Choose whatever exercise and level of exercise works for you. If you do not know of one, consider yoga, which focuses on exercise, but also on principles of happiness and mindfulness, both incredibly useful to maintaining a positive attitude.