by 
Things may not always go your way. Some days are filled with happiness and laughter, while others feel like never-ending downpours. Stress, challenges, and changes will always be a part of life. However, learning to stay calm and positive will help you push through tough days. Staying positive does not mean you are ignoring the challenges you face; it means you are channelling your inner strength to push through the tough situations life brings you.
- Take a Deep Breath and Slow Down
In tough situations, your mind can spin at an alarming rate. The first step to regaining control is to calm down. A good way to help calm your body down is through mindfulness. Find a comfortable position, and discard your worries. A good way to start is to breathe in through your nose and then out through your mouth. It is important to take controlled breaths and not hyperventilate. Your body will feel the difference, and your mind will think more clearly. Even a quick minute of this can help you get through a tough moment and make the best of the situation.
- Talk About It
You don’t have to carry everything by yourself. Talk about it with someone you can trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or your counsellor. It can ease your feelings to share what you are carrying. If it’s too overwhelming, you may need professional support. DBT therapy will help with emotional regulation, stress management, and improved coping skills.
- Focus on What You Can Control
Trying to control everything is often harder on ourselves, so focus on what is in your hands. Control what you can. This means taking some small actions. Maybe send an email, drink a glass of water, or take a break and get some fresh air. Doing things, even small things, will create more control and focus in your life.
- Stay Connected
During hard times, it’s common to feel like pulling away from people and being alone. It can also be normal to feel like you need space from things, but this can lead to feelings of loneliness and sadness. One of the best ways to do this is to surround yourself with people and go out, or even take a drive. It can also mean calling a friend or a loved one. This can help in so many ways. Kind, positive people and surroundings are a great way to boost your mood and energise your spirit.
- Maintain a Gratitude Journal
Thinking of a gratitude list isn’t just for writers; it is for anyone who seeks mental clarity and journaling. It can be as simple as your coffee, a person who said a nice thing to you, or a sunset. This small task can be a huge mental shift that changes how you see the world. This mental exercise fosters a positive mentality even on the roughest of days and helps you shift to a mindset of gratitude.
- Tend to Your Body
Make sure you are practising self-care and eating, sleeping, exercising, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sample short walks, as they can help elevate your mood and relieve your stress. There are so many self-care activities to choose from that can help rejuvenate you.
- Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Nature is a great remedy for people, as it helps heal us. The world is filled with less toxic, more comforting elements that help reduce stress. Things like sunlight, the wind, and even the greenery are strong healers. When you take walks or sit by a window, and make sure to take some time every day to clear your head in a peaceful place, it can help you recharge.
- Swap Negativity With Positive Thoughts
When you think negatively about something, it affects your feelings. Whenever you think, “I can’t do this”, tell yourself, “I can do this, I will take it one step at a time”. This shift in your thinking sends your brain a signal to take a new route that leads to more positive feelings. While you can’t always control everything that happens in life, you can always control your reactions to those variables.
A Calm Mind Can Weather Any Storm
The ability to stay positive and calm during negative moments is a skill that is developed over time and takes practice, like going for a long walk, not to stay unrealistically happy and cheerful. Negativity in life can bring positive feelings, like a balance to the chaos and peace to the panic. By practising positive habits, you can develop a new way of thinking. Remember that the challenges will pass, but your confidence will remain.
