It’s possible you don’t even know why you’re feeling like this. Sometimes our minds get on a track all their own that we can’t decipher. If this sounds like you, then take it as a cue that your logical brain has taken a little vacation and simply needs to be put back to work.
If you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t believe I’m in this mess again,” correct the thought by adding, “but I’ll pull through just like I always do. ” Keep correcting these negative statements until it becomes second-nature; after that, make it your goal to eliminate the negativity altogether. You can even write it down on paper to help you get it out and view it more objectively as you correct your thoughts. Doing this has been shown to have a number of health benefits – including increased lifespan, a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and greater resistance to the common cold. [1] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Stand up for yourself. You don’t have to argue with a fool. No matter what happens, a bully picks on you because he knows you are better than he is. You are strong and you are in control. You determine you – no one else.
Identify a time that you were the happiest, a time when you were the proudest, and a time when you were the most fulfilled or satisfied. Use these times to help you determine your top values. Then prioritize them in your daily life. Don’t forget to reaffirm your values when you’re feeling low.
Sometimes it’s a little hard to be grateful when you’re not in the right mood. To get the juices flowing, look at someone else’ life. What should they be thankful for? Alright, now how many of those things do you have too? Probably quite a few.
Sometimes it’s a little hard to be grateful when you’re not in the right mood. To get the juices flowing, look at someone else’ life. What should they be thankful for? Alright, now how many of those things do you have too? Probably quite a few.
The second you start feeling a twinge of that feeling, grab it by its horns and analyze it. If you were 7 years old, would this bother you? If you were 70, would it bother you? How about if you lived in a different culture? Chances are you’d be able to answer “no” to all those questions. Your reasons for shame have been taught to you for no good reason. Get ’em out of your brain to make room for useful feelings! If you find that shame is a constant in your life, consider seeking professional help from a therapist.
It’s easy to forget that we can control our minds. They are us, we are not them (in a manner of speaking). If you give your mind a new world to take it, you’ll get a new world out. Relaxing and distracting yourself is the first step to finding a new outlook.
It can be anything. Run a 10k. Overcome your shyness. Become a wine connoisseur. Whatever you can see yourself enjoying for a long time will be worth your while. But remember: the harder it is, the bigger the payoff. Losing 5 pounds is great, but losing 10 might make you feel twice as good.
When you become an expert, you know you’re truly good at something. There is no room for doubt, no room for negativity. This can become a haven of positivity, reassurance, and relaxation. And, inevitably, it’ll be a part of your everyday life. So if you’ve been hiding the fact that you play the bagpipes for 8 years now, let ’er out.
Once more, it doesn’t matter what it is. Sure, a new irrigation system for the Congo would be super great for the world at large, but making a duct tape bag gets you thinking creatively, too. What can you do with your set of talents and skills?
It’s too easy to get cooped up at the office and consider the 20-foot walk into Starbucks to be your daily gallivant with nature. Go for a walk. Get outside. Feel the sun. You’ll wake up, you’ll feel more energized, and you’ll feel more mentally energized.
Do some exercise! Go swimming and try a dive that you have never done before. Go to a dance class and try a style of dance that you don’t know. Or try a whole new sport! Volunteer. Working with children, puppies, and the poor are great ways to feel good about yourself. And the feeling is almost instantaneous. Want to feel happy? Go to the hospital with a puppy and ask for the cancer ward. Done.
Do something that you know will make you laugh: go bowling, see a movie, get pizza, go shopping, throw a sleepover, play a sport, or just hang out! Or, find a friend in need and share safe feelings and thoughts. People in similar situations are better at listening to and sympathizing with one another.
Behavioral studies have shown that although removing a habit trigger for long enough will cause the habit patterns in the brain to disappear, reintroducing it will cause them to reappear effortlessly as though nothing had changed. This means that a single slip-up can cause that habit you’ve been working so hard to kick to come rushing back to you. [4] X Research source This goes for things and people!
You don’t need loads. Find 2 or 3 that can pick up everyone else’s slack. Just having a couple of people to bring you back to that content feeling will do the trick.
It’s human nature to hear 10, “You’re awesome!“s and one “Meh. That was fine,” and concentrate on the not-so-stellar one. That’s just how we work. And it’s great to hear it and try to improve yourself, but getting caught up in it is ridiculous. It’s the opinion of one person. This one person has no power – so don’t get them any!
Sometimes problems seem huge in our heads until we say them out loud to someone else. Saying it to someone may make you realize how petty you sound, it was just your brain that couldn’t see it by itself. You’ll automatically take in the other person’s point of view, taking a you little further outside your box. And it could be eye-opening.
Flowers on Valentine’s Day are pretty par for the course. But flowers for no reason? That’s touching. Now think of “flowers” as any nice deed. If you can surprise someone for no good reason with something so small as a cup of coffee, their day will be made – and hopefully so will yours.
Talk to strangers. This is the easiest way to broaden your horizons, learn something, and benefit from others. You may be thinking, “That’s a little creepy,” but think about how much people love to be given attention. Talking to a stranger could be an exciting point in both of your days.
Nothing is all good or all bad. Nor are feelings facts. Thinking “I’m an abject failure” is guilty of both those things. There is no way you’re all that bad (it’s impossible) and that’s a feeling that you’re misconstruing. If you catch yourself thinking like that, stop. Get back on the train to the real world where you’re just as good as everyone else (and you are).
The only thing that’s possible is that you are out to get you. Are you your own worst critic? If so, know that it’s totally common, but it’s not the healthiest of habits. Try to develop self-compassion. Treat yourself like you would treat one of your friends.
This is all about knowing you’re a good person. Sometimes it’s easy to forget. But when we take physical action, it becomes pretty hard to ignore. If you see an opportunity (all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled), take it. Hold the door for someone. Help a friend move. Do the dishes when it’s not your turn. It doesn’t have to be mind-blowing. It just has to be nice.
Donate your clothes to Goodwill. Volunteer at your local animal shelter, Habitat for Humanity, or local hospital. Donate to a worthy cause. Whether it’s a one-time thing or a new habit you pick up, it’s worth it. Maybe someone else will pay it forward!
Put on your favorite song and dance around like crazy for a few minutes. Do something you haven’t done for years. Take your friends down to the beach and bury each other in the sand. Be brave and go on that roller-coaster that you could never pluck up the courage to ride. Try something extreme, like snowboarding or canoeing. Whatever it is, just commit to it and get it done.
