No matter how positive you are, negative thoughts happen from time to time. You know how that feels ““ when your “half full” glass suddenly becomes “half empty.”
Next time negativity starts creeping in, use these tips to refill your glass.
- Start small
When you start feeling down, focus on what you can accomplish today. Make a list of small tasks you can complete and pretty soon those tasks will add up.
- Take care of yourself
Get up and exercise. It might not be at the top of your list of things to do, but regular exercise can improve your mood, reduce your anxiety and help you feel better.
- Get eight hours of sleep a night
When you don’t get enough sleep, you probably feel more stress and have a shorter temper. You may even feel more anxious without truly knowing why. While it isn’t the cure to every problem, a good night’s sleep can go a long way to improving your outlook.
- Eat a good, healthy meal
Eat a balanced diet of low-fat protein, fruits, vegetables and complex carbs. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, trans fat, saturated fats, refined sugars and preservatives.
- Develop a support system
You likely have a perfectly good reason to feel a little down. Whether it’s trouble with a loved one or stressors at work, talk about what could be behind the negative thoughts. Try to find an impartial third-party who can listen and give good advice without judgment.
- Remember you don’t have to be perfect
Don’t set your goals and standards so high that you will feel defeated if you don’t live up to them. A goal is something to strive for and attain, not something that will torture you because you can never reach.
- Tackle big projects in small pieces
If you have a difficult task to accomplish, break it down into small steps. As you check off those tasks, you will feel proud that you are making progress toward your goal.
- Avoid negative thinking
When you have a negative thought, tell yourself to stop thinking that way. Stopping negative thoughts can be difficult, but this change will make a big difference.
What are your tips to banish negative thoughts? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!
