Q + A // How to Stay Positive in Tough Times

 

  

Going through hard times is something we all deal with. Whether your having a bad day, horrible week, or losing the lost of a love one, its hard to go through. Feeling down is no fun. I think its important to focus on the positive things in life because its easy to go down the downward spiral and that just makes everything worse (in my opinion). Here are some suggestions to keeping yourself in high spirits:

 Surround yourself with uplifting and encouraging friends. A girls night always helps me get out of a "funk", and I'm able to loosen up, and unwind. Sometimes you just need that one person to vent to, and tell all your troubles to. Being able to talk about your problems out loud helps you see things in a different light. Also listening to your friends advice helps a lot too. Surround yourself who people who will be there for you at all times no matter what the situation.

  Exercise! Get up and moving. I know this is hard to do, when you want to stay in bed all day...but that doesn't solve anything. Let your blood flow, and endorphins flow.  I love taking a jog when I'm upset or irritated it seems to help me get my mind off the subject or helps me focus on the subject and how I can fix it. Being able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air is always nice when you have a bad day.

 Listen to encouraging music. Yes uplifting happy music. When I'm down I tend to listen to sad depressing music so I can have a good cry, but I find that its harder to get out of my funk. So listening to happy and cherry music makes me feel better.
 
 Get out and go somewhere. Getting out of the home helps you feel awake and alive. Go to the beach, go shopping, grab some dinner at a nice restaurant, or go see a good show at the theatres.

 Keep a journal. This is my number one go-to when feeling upset. Writing down my thoughts helps me release all my problems. It's like I'm able to have that moment of venting and then leave the problem with all the words on the page. Journaling is a wonderful thing even for happy moments too.

 Focus on your blessings. Take a moment and write down everything your thankful for. Take time to notice the little things around you. It can be as small as a butterfly that lands right next to you. Sometimes its the little things that tend to encourage me.



 Help others. By doing something for someone else helps you escape from your problem. Your able to take your mind off of your own pain, and focus on those around you. Open up a door for a stranger, write a note to a friend, put together a care package for someone, or go spend some time with a lonely friend. This way your able to spread happiness and bring cheer into other peoples life's.

 Realize that releasing your pain can be a way of overcoming it. Let it all out. Cry. Scream. Weep. Because the more you hold your emotions in, the harder it will be to forget. I tend to be a stuffer when it comes to emotions and the way I'm feeling, but the more I stuff the more it hurts, and then I explode. But when you stand up to your problems and face your pain the easier it will be to move forward, and live on.

 Do something for yourself. Take a bubble bath, read a good book, or grab some of your favorite coffee. Go sit in coffee shop and let yourself unwind and regroup. Set a side some time for yourself, and give yourself some time to think things through. The more rest you have the better off you'll be.

 Trust in God and his purpose for you. Take this time of hurt and realize that God has a greater plan for you. Talk with God and lean on him. He is the one who will take away your hurt and help you through this time. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

 Go to your sanctuary. Go to your favorite place where you can get away and relax. Sometimes I like to plop on my bed and listening to music. I guess I'm just comforted by the sound of the music. Or find a special quite place outdoors. Let your mind unwind and relax. Go somewhere quite and just ponder for a while.