How do we stay positive when the world seems to be pumping out almost non-stop negativity? What can we do to maintain our sanity, when the world seems to have lost its collective mind? Can it be done? Fortunately, the answer is, it absolutely can.
The short answer is, we can indeed do much and the longer answer is, no one idea or set of ideas is a cure all for the rampant negativity that appears to be stressing daily life. Everyone is unique and how we handle negativity is in many ways, a personal matter. However, that being said, there are many techniques, habits and steps that we can take to mitigate the toxic effects of negativity and increase our level of positivity.
These suggestions are a good starting point to help us tackle the growing negativity with a fortified gusto:
· First, recognize and acknowledge the negativity. It is there. It is real. Some see the state of our world with sense of dread and foreboding and that’s what we need to change first — we acknowledge the problem, but we don’t let it consume us. We need to re-frame how we think of the world at large and put things into a perspective that offers solutions and not defeatism. Constant stress take a serious toll on our mental and physical health, so once we consciously acknowledge that the problem exists and that we’re not going to pretend it doesn’t, we need to immediately declare that it will not get us down and that we are in truth, not helpless — there is much we can do to make things better.
· Reject a feeling of helplessness. Tied to the first step is to consciously affirm that we will not feel helpless and we will not feel overwhelmed by the negativity. Acknowledge and then resolve. Resolve to stay strong, focused and diligent to make things better, even if only on a small scale.
· Take action and tackle it as best one can. This means that we know that upsetting things are happening, but rather than say “well, I know things will get better” and then doing nothing, we need to accept that what we’re seeing is not normal and we refuse to let it ever become normal. Then resolve to carve out how we can each make a difference — how we can contribute to the defeat of negativity and bring about a collective healing.
· Manage how you consume news. Take control of how you consume the news with purpose. People have been turned into news junkies and news seems to be everywhere. And that need that news organizations have to fill the web, papers and TV with non-stop news, has created “click bait” and sensationalism. It seems every story is a “breaking news story” and its often just exaggerated hype. Turn. Off. The. News. And please, whatever you do, don’t get your news from social media. Instead, have one or two trustworthy and nonpartisan news sources that you check now and then during the day, or, have an alert set from those same good sources, in case something really important does happen.
· Have a refuge. Its important that we set aside space and time to re-charge. We all need a breather and that’s why having a place or a hobby that helps us to relax is so important. Do something positive and constructive that makes you feel better.
· Strategize a plan of action. We can’t just ignore the negative and we do have to fix it, so what is the plan? Is it joining a group to help bring about positive change? Is it getting more involved with your elected political leaders? Come up with a working and flexible plan to tackle the issues however best works for you and then, do it. The act of actually doing something productive and good makes us feel better.
· Share the positivity. Help others to fee more positive. Share a smile. Offer hope. Be kind. Whatever we can do to share hope and positivity is a good thing.
Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful. ―Roy T. Bennett
Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. —Maya Angelou
Sometimes, when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place. —Unknown
Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you. —Ruth Bader Ginsburg
