A new year - staying positive
Whilst the start of the year normally is a time for celebration, the start of 2022 was met with some hesitation, with the annual fireworks at the London Eye cancelled, the looming threat of Covid restrictions and the omicron variant wrecking many people’s holidays. 2022 will mark the 3rd year that the world will have been dealing with the pandemic for, and I’m sure we all hoped life would be back to normal by now.
However, it is important to remain positive in these times, and this post will talk about some of the best ways I’ve found to stay positive.
1. Do things you enjoy
With the holiday season comes time off work and school, meaning you have more time to do the things you enjoy. Even if your plans have been changed, make time to cook your favourite meal, or watch your favourite movie or catch up with an old friend. Regardless of what it is, taking time to do the small things you love will have a positive impact on your mental health.
2. Positive thoughts and affirmations
This is definitely something people hear and say ‘easier said than done’, and it is. However, i is something that definitely helps change your mindset, and although it may seem a bit silly at first, it is a case of ‘fake it till you make it’ - you enforce positive thoughts within yourself until you believe them. Tackling those negative thoughts can immediately help, and thinking about them with a rational mind can help pick apart the negativity. Things like journaling and writing down things you are grateful for can all help enforce the positive mindset.
3. Create a positive environment
The environment you are in can have a massive impact on your mood - someone in a clean, bright room free of distractions will undoubtedly feel more positive than someone in a dark, dirty room. This extends to your lifestyle - things like eating well, sleeping enough drinking water and exercising all have a positive impact on your mental health and will make it that much easier to think positively if you are in a good mental space. I know I say it plenty on this blog, but these things really have an incredible effect on your mental health. It's also the people in your life - surround yourself with people who make you feel good, and try to be more mindful of the way the things you do make you feel. For example, sleeping late to do work makes you stressed the next day? Plan your time better and get your work done earlier in time for a good night’s sleep, or consider taking on less responsibility if that is not possible.
I know the start of the new year has not been like others, but staying positive, well and healthy should be at the top of your priority list. With that said, I wish you all a happy new year!