The holiday season may be tough for some, but so is every day life. I recently had the opportunity to get the 411 on staying upbeat when everything around you looks like it’s falling apart from Mary Jo Rapini a nationally-known psychotherapist, author, public/keynote speaker, as well as a television and radio commentator.
Here are her 25 favorite ways to stay upbeat and positive
- Get involved with people or projects that give you meaning.
- Schedule time in your day to have five minutes of total quiet alone.
- Meditate by focusing on your breathing in and out slowly.
- Pray.
- Don’t take other’s negativity personally.
- Limit your time with negative people and make your life a no venting or complaining zone.
- Play: yoga, running and/or walking are good examples of adult playtime.
- Go to a movie with a friend or by yourself.
- Listen to music that makes you feel positive.
- Write down three things you’ve always wanted to do or were interested in and begin learning one of them.
- Have Friday or Sunday night potluck night. Everyone can come, but everyone brings something to the table.
- Have a suggestion box set up in your home so kids, as well as other family members, can write suggestions for innovative new family outings or rituals.
- Go to church: according to research church goers are happier, healthier and find more meaning in life than non-church goers.
- Play with your kids even when they’re grown.
- Hug family and friends as much as you can.
- When worries take over, step back and focus on today…now.
- Be grateful and say thank you each opportunity you get. The more you give thanks, the more you have to be thankful for as time goes on.
- Volunteer.
- Plant a garden or at least a few plants.
- Get a pet or spend time watching animals on TV.
- Watch funny movies or movies that encourage good rather than evil.
- When faced with a challenge instead of getting discouraged think of it as an opportunity to learn and grow your business, relationship, or wherever the challenge is.
- Give away whatever you aren’t using.
- Pay it forward every chance you get.
- Read autobiographies and biographies. They help you understand that everyone goes through really bad times and how you handle it defines your character.
Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman, of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. Read more about the book at www.StartTalkingBook.com and more about Rapini at www.maryjorapini.com.
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Amie Olson says
These are great! I really find that the quiet time and listening to music work well for me. Also, going for a walk or doing yoga helps.
I like the idea of choosing some things that you have been interested in doing and learning one of them. I will have to do that. I particularly struggle with our cold winter weather here, which is very limiting and depressing. Knowing that we are planning to move to a warmer climate and working toward that helps.
Zipporah Sandler says
Amie – Mr. S struggles with seasonal issues, and moving south was one of the steps that we also took to help him.