How to Stay Positive In Difficult Situations

Even the most optimistic people can begin to turn pessimistic when an important event is coming near. It’s really human nature to try and brace ourselves for the worst thing, but it can lead to a lot undue stress, anxiety, and outright unhappiness — and that’s why staying positive is so important, especially when things don’t necessarily go your way. Whether it’s a job opportunity or medical test results, if you are finding it hard to stay positive in a situation, try these tips.

Ask yourself if it will matter in a month or a year.

The best way to put things into perspective is to ask yourself if whatever goes wrong will still matter to you in a month. How about a year? For many things that plague us, we could honestly admit that it wouldn’t be such a big deal in hindsight, we just have to give it a little bit of time to pass. Asking yourself this question and answering honestly will help you put things into perspective and realize that life will go on and you’re going to be okay.

Role play to find another solution.

Most of the time, we are way too hard on ourselves. Sometimes, the best way to see a solution to a situation is to ask yourself what you’d be doing to help a friend or family member who was going through what you’re going through. If you can’t picture anyone else going through it, just make up a hypothetical person — what would you say to them? Sometimes, this can help you get great advice from yourself about how to move forward.

Use the opportunity to do something good.

Next time you’re feeling down, how about making an effort to get up, go out, and do something good? It’s been scientifically proven that doing good for others makes us feel good, and even if it won’t “fix” whatever is going on, it will certainly lead to a positive impact in the world — and it will help you turn whatever is happening into something meaningful and memorable.

By consciously deciding that because of this you’re going to go out and make a good impact, it can’t be such a bad thing after all. So, take this as an opportunity to go volunteer somewhere or help someone out to make it into a positive experience for yourself.