Lauren gives us three tips on how to maintain a positive perspective even in seemingly bad situations.
Some people seem to be born with optimism and the ability to see the silver lining. For others, it may not come as naturally. When something unexpected pops up, stress comes tumbling in, or tragedy strikes, it can be difficult to see the best in every situation. Whether you’re going through the thick of it or are just having a bad day, here’s a few things that may help:
1. Take some time to rest
If you’re in a time where you feel like you can’t catch a break and are dealing with problem after problem, take a moment to breathe. A negative mindset could be coming from lack of sleep and overwhelming amounts of stress. Remember to take care of yourself, even in the worst situations. When your mind and body are at the top of their game, it’s easier to see the brighter side of a less than ideal
situation.
2. Remember what is temporary
As students that are in the thick of the semester, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Paper after paper can quickly pile up, making it feel like you’ll never have time to do anything else. Keep in mind of what is temporary, especially in these moments. On the flip side, remember this even in positive moments to cherish them even more.
3. Dwell on the good things
For some people, learning to meditate has helped calm them and reframe their perspective in a more positive light. But, dwelling on the good things can mean more than meditating on your thoughts. It could mean dwelling on something you enjoy reading or listening to or it could mean dwelling on your beliefs in prayer and scripture if you are religious. Whatever your mode is when dwelling on the good
in your life, the more you dwell on it, the more likely you can let the positivity overflow into negative situations.
Above all, it’s important to remember that at times, it can certainly be difficult to stay positive in negative situations. While preparing your mind and body to get into the habit of being positive can help, this doesn’t mean that having negative emotions towards a situation is bad. Instead, it’s all about being able to see the situation from more than one perspective and helping yourself have a more positive mindset overall.