By: Julie Sams, MA, LCMHC
During this unpredictable time when anxiety and over-thinking are plentiful, having a positive mindset often seems unattainable. With mounting political tension, limited social support, students bombarded with online learning, and adults separated from their collogues, positive thoughts are not prevalent. So, how do we work to maintain positive thinking even in this difficult time?
Here are a few tips:
- Use motivational images to remind you to stay positive. Use toys, pictures, or items that remind you to stay positive. I use the image of an owl to remind me to “be wise”, so every time I see my owls, I remind myself to “be wise and make wise choices”. Put a picture on your notebook, folder, or agenda. Use pictures or images that inspire you.
- Use motivational quotes or words to shift your thinking. Post quotes or words in a place you will see them daily to remind of your personal goals. Write encouraging words on your mirror or a dry erase board some. Make some art with your powerful message (i.e., “stay strong”, or “you got this”, etc.).
- Morning Mantra. Start each day by repeating a positive phrase to yourself 3 times. In times of stress I will start my day by saying, “I love this day and all it will bring” or “Today is a beautiful day”. It assures you start each day by forcing positivity in. Create your own morning mantra and stick with it, even though it feels strange.
- Evening Gratitude. End your day by writing down 3 things you are grateful for in a journal or notebook you keep in your bedroom. This forces you to think about the good things that happened throughout your day.
Our brains naturally draw us to cling to negative, unproductive thinking. It is real work to develop practices that force us to think positively. By choosing to adopt some regular habits that promote positive thinking, you are successfully working to shut the negative ones down. Our increasingly stressful world brings so much negativity to our thoughts. It is our job to do all we can to counteract that stress by choosing activities that bring positivity in.
*Today is the perfect day to stop unhealthy habits, learn new coping skills, strengthen your relationships with others, and work on you! Reach out to us to schedule an appointment with one of our Raleigh, Rolesville, or Wake Forest therapists. We offer individual, couples, and family therapy for children, teens, and adults, and have therapist who specialize in anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance use, as well as many other areas.