CHANNEL YOUTH FEATURE
Staying positive in tough times by Jessy Thurston
It can be a challenge to stay positive when times get tough, but being able to recognise how to process any situation with a clear mind and remain optimistic has so many worthwhile benefits. It’s not all that hard to start thinking with a glass half-full mentality once you know how to do it. There are a few ways you can teach yourself to stress less often if you take different approaches to how you process everyday events. It’s important to acknowledge the things in your life that you are grateful for so you can turn to them when you do start to be consumed by a negative turn of events. For me personally, it’s the little things. Taking a walk on the beach, sitting down for ten minutes with a coffee for a breather, or spending a little bit of quality time with friends and family. These are small things that I know I can always count on to cheer me up, which help me to you deal with them is the gateway to positive thinking throughout all ground myself when I don’t feel so positive. aspects of life. Being optimistic does not always come easy, especially when it Support systems are just as important as self-reflection, as they help seems there are no positives to a situation. It’s always worthwhile to relieve burdens of stress just as much as processing things by yourself. put aside some time to process thoughts and emotions properly, Getting comfortable with sharing your thoughts and emotions with the rather than pushing them away or accepting them as far more people around you can be so rewarding, and helps to alleviate some negative than they actually are. It’s funny how our brain tends to take of the unnecessary worries that build on us so heavily. Confiding in thoughts and instantly think the worst when the reality is far less bleak those who you trust and who you know care for you is not a bad thing. than it seems. Self-reflection is a great way to pause and reevaluate Some people struggle to tell others what is bothering them when they how you can approach things differently. start feeling the pressure, and believe it’s unfair to pour their concerns Meditation is something that we’ve all heard is good for the soul, onto someone else. This fear is common but usually not helpful, as and it works tremendously well as a way to find the balance in your support systems are there to listen mind and body when negative thoughts when things aren’t going so well. arise. Sitting down and finding what Sitting down and finding what works Most of the time just talking about works for you – whether it’s silence and a situation with someone else can letting go of everything weighing you for you - whether its silence and make it feel less overwhelming. Make down, or listening to a guided meditation letting go of everything weighing it clear to whoever you’re talking to before you go to sleep – is a fantastic that you don’t expect them to solve option when things seem to be dragging you down, or listening to a guided your problems, but rather to just be a in your life. This is about checking meditation before you go to sleep listening ear as you rant away some of yourself and learning to let go before - is a fantastic option when things the tension. a small negative thought erupts into a Aside from all of these tips, stressful event that you can’t seem to seem to be dragging in your life. maintaining a relatively healthy shake. lifestyle and looking after yourself Checking yourself and how you are and your overall wellbeing are important when it comes to remaining interpreting things is also a good first step into shaping your lifestyle optimistic. Getting regular exercise and fueling your body well are into something more optimistic. Each time something bothers you, basic stepping stones to changing a negative mindset. Making an spend a moment to process it properly and decide whether it is effort to keep all four areas of your wellbeing strong – physical, worth worrying about. Ask yourself whether it will matter in a week. emotional, mental, and spiritual – goes hand in hand with positive If not, there is no need to spend more than a few minutes fretting thinking. You’re more likely to think positively when your overall over small issues. The same goes for minor things going lopsided in wellbeing is looked after, and you’re more likely to have a strong your day that can easily turn into a bad mood which continues longer wellbeing when you put positive thinking into practice. than necessary. If you learn to accept bad moments as merely just Learning to be a bit more optimistic and approach situations with moments, it becomes a lot easier to switch up your mood so you aren’t left in a funk because of small mishaps. Of course, it’s easier said a positive mind is a step-by-step process but definitely worth it to combat stress and negative thinking! than done, but picking up on these patterns and being aware of how
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Issue 112 - August 2020 www.channelmag.co.nz
