In recent months, even the most upbeat of individuals might have struggled to stay positive; with the pandemic testing the limits of our ability to remain optimistic.
But now, as we settle into the ‘recovery’ stage and pick up the pieces, we can reflect on the events of the last few months, learn and become stronger from what we’ve experienced.
Being positive is a choice, which we are all capable of making, even in the most challenging of times.
Of course, it’s not always easy to stay positive in the face of adversity, so today we share 11 strategies to help you stay positive in our post-Covid world.
1. Curb Your Intake
It is a modern phenomenon, but in times of crisis, we turn to the news and social media to stay connected with the world and make sense of what’s happening around us.
While we think this is helping us feel connected, it could be doing the opposite.
Spending too much time looking at social media can make us feel more distant and disconnected to the rest of the world, and looking at too much negative news has been linked to increased depression and anxiety.
Keep up to date with global affairs, by all means, but limit your intake. And be aware of when it could be having a negative effect on you, such as trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping and a low mood.
2. Look to Your Past Resilience
When we’re faced with a challenge, it’s easy to crumble and think that you aren’t going to get through it – it’s a human response.
To help you remember that you are entirely capable of facing new challenges, look to your past. Remembering your past problems and how you faced them can be a great reminder of our own resilience.
3. Structure Your Day
In times of crisis, it can be the unsettling aspect which can be more disruptive than anything else.
If you have been feeling negative and overwhelmed recently, creating a plan for each day can be a great way to help you deliver on your tasks, and then feel more positive about it.
Try the following –
- Make a list the night before.
- Give yourself set times to answer emails.
- Use the first two hours of the day to tackle the most important tasks.
4. Help Someone Out
You can practice this either at home or at work.
Random acts of kindness such as writing a colleague a thank-you note, helping an elderly neighbour with shopping or spending a few hours volunteering at the weekend are all great ways to help boost your positivity levels.
5. Note Daily Gratitude
Spend a few minutes each day writing down three things you’re grateful for. These could be things that have happened that day or more general concepts. If it is good enough for the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Oprah, perhaps it might work for us too.
It can be all too easy to focus on the negative things that happen, and sometimes we all need a reminder of the good things we’ve got in our lives.
6. Get Some Perspective
When we experience negativity, we can fall into the trap of letting it overcome us.
It is essential to keep perspective of our lives, our careers and achievements when we feel like we are losing positivity.
The pandemic has been difficult for everyone – but think about these few months in terms of your lifetime. A few months will seem insignificant in a few years; don’t let a bad patch taint your view of the whole year.
7. Smile!
Smiling releases neuropeptides, which help combat stress. It also releases dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, all which lift our mood.
So, remember to smile at people you encounter during the day, or spend a few minutes watching your favourite funny video; you’ll feel better for it.
8. Spend Time With Your Family
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to cherish our families.
Our modern lives are so busy; it can be hard for us to remember to slow down and spend time with the ones that matter. Have a family night once a week, where you all sit down to dinner together, or go for a walk at the weekend.
9. Get Outside
Speaking of walking, getting enough exercise is also key to a positive outlook, especially when we do this outside and expose our skin to the light.
You don’t have to be training for a marathon, but getting in at least 30 minutes of active time per day is scientifically proven to lift your mood.
So instead of checking news or social media apps, spend 30 mins at lunchtime going for a walk instead, you will feel instantly more positive.
10. Plan for the Future
This year, we have realised that no matter how much we plan, outcomes are never guaranteed – many external factors can get in the way of the best-laid plans.
And yet, we must continue to plan, to show resilience and regain control in a world which has seemed unpredictable.
Planning helps us feel optimistic; it gives us new goals to aim for and a sense of purpose.
Your plan could include learning a new skill to help you progress your career, or redecorating a room in your home.
11. Practising Acceptance
During the height of lockdown, we all did a lot of practising acceptance. For the most part, we all obeyed the lockdown rules and felt better for it knowing we were protecting each other from the virus.
We can draw on this experience to help us feel positive when things get tough. Sometimes, things are out of our control, and that’s fine.
What matters is the way we react to this fact – in maintaining a positive attitude and in our ability to accept the things we can’t change.
Finally
For more information and advice on how to stay positive, and how to motivate your post-Covid team to do the same, head to our blog, which you can find here.
Until next time,
Julia
About Zestfor
Zestfor specialises in developing Training programmes and resources scientifically tailored for technical markets – including Pharmaceutical, IT, and Life Sciences.
Our blend of in-classroom, online, and virtual live-stream delivery methods will engage and assure even the most introverted team members from the first meeting – whether face-to-face or virtually. To have a brief chat, call us on 0845 548 0833. Alternatively, please email our team here.
