Do you see the glass half empty or half full? Perhaps a bit of both. Some days you have to work a bit little harder to see things in a positive light, and that’s perfectly okay. We spoke with Cathy Francis, PsyD, MFT and Social Services Director at St. Joseph’s Behavioral Health Center, to get an expert opinion on how to maintain a positive outlook for better mental health. Remaining positive is a challenge and something that needs to be practiced often — here are some simple tips:
Practice consistent optimism. This won’t come easy, but with practice we can choose to see an optimistic view in even the most negative of situations. As Cathy states, “optimism is beneficial to our physical and psychological health,” contributing to lower levels of depression, negative thinking patterns, and an overall boost in happiness. When you think positive thoughts, you actually feel better. Mindset is everything. Next time, try challenging your negative thoughts—ask yourself, “how can I look at this in a positive light?” You may also find that helping others or even keeping a gratitude journal can help channel your optimistic side.
Try fearlessness on for size. A vast majority of our negative thoughts stem from the fear of failure, which keeps us from seeing the positive side of things. “People either see their failure as a product of personal deficits beyond their control or mistakes that they can fix with effort,” says Cathy. Fear contributes to feelings of depression, anxiety, and negativity. Combat this by looking at mistakes as learning experiences. Pursue your passions and reveal in what makes you feel good. Your future positive self will thank you for trekking onwards.
Do what you can. We do not have the power to make everything perfect. Sometimes, things will go wrong. But have you ever heard the saying, “don’t make a mountain out of a molehill?” As Cathy states, “when we encounter a stressful event our bodies go into a fight or flight mode. When we have a positive attitude, we are able to fight the stress hormones within our bodies.” Basically, if we perceive our situations in a positive manner, we are able to relax and solve the problem at hand. Try mediating or even listening to music to calm yourself for a renewed focus.
Next time you’re feeling not-so-positive, remember to be patient with yourself and slowly try to implement these tips into your everyday habits. Even something as simple as smiling can help you feel happier and healthier. Sending positive vibes your way.