Sharing from an article..good advice, especially with winter coming up... Lets face it: Some days, its just not that easy to put on a happy face and be positive. We get caught up in the stress of deadlines, dinner menus and managing the busy schedules of everyone in a bustling household. Before you know it, even the best among us are feeling grouchy. But a negative attitude affects everyone around you, making them grumpier — and more likely to snap at you — leading to a self-perpetuating bad mood cycle. Before you know it, the glass half-empty mentality can become a habitual way of thinking. Plus, stress can be just plain unhealthy, sap your energy and productivity. Anyone whos already in a funk will tell you that “just cheering up” is easier said than done. However, with a few simple changes and a little bit of effort, you can improve your attitude, whether you’re in a crummy mood today or if you suddenly notice that youve been feeling negative more often than not lately. 1. Laugh This one might seem painfully obvious, but just like an aerobics instructor keeps reminding the class to breathe, people who are feeling negative often forget how much they need to laugh. No matter how — watching a silly movie, reading your favorite humor blog, a call to a funny friend — take a few minutes to enjoy a good laugh. 2. Find Balance How many of you are over-extended? If you couldnt raise your hand because your arms are full of craft projects for a fundraiser, thank-you notes you need to write, two bags of groceries and 17 yards of fabric you plan to turn into costumes for the school play, it might be time to reevaluate your priorities. Although theres a strong pull to help whenever someone says they need us, its OK to say “no.” For things you just cant cross off your to-do list, see if you can delegate them. When you can devote attention to the things that really matter without the distraction of a thousand things that dont, youll be much more relaxed and happier with the results overall. 3. Name it, Neutralize it and Let it Go Look back over your day and try to figure out if there was a specific trigger to your negative attitude. Was it something out of your control, like another driver cutting you off in traffic? A small event can have a big impact on your mood without you even realizing it, and often just naming what put you on the path to a bad mood makes you feel better. Dealing with the trigger can alleviate the stress and helps prevent the same thing from setting you off again later. Finally, whether it’s something you can neutralize or something that’s completely out of your control, take a deep breath and just let it go. 4. Give Thanks When you’re feeling pessimistic, spend a few minutes thinking about the things for which you’re grateful. Nothing counteracts a negative attitude like consciously acknowledging all the things you have to be happy about. 5. Cheer Yourself Up With a Cheer OK, some people might say positive affirmations are a little cheesy, but there’s a trick to making them work. When you repeat a positive phrase or leave yourself notes around the house to boost your mood, they should be hopeful — but realistic. Use words and phrases based on qualities that are true about you in your best moments, making you focus on positive aspects of yourself that you want to make even better. It should be noted that severe, long-term issues with mood, such as extreme anxiety or depression, can be serious and should be addressed with your doctor, but the next time you’re feeling down in the dumps and want to turn your negative attitude around, try a combination of these techniques to get back to your usual glass-half-full self!
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 01:43:15 +0000