How To Stay Positive

During uncertain times, it's challenging to always have a smile on your face and to remain upbeat. There are lots of tricks and resources though to help your mind focus on positive things. Below I share some of my favourites.

1) Three quick ways to change your mindset.

- Go and sit outside for 30 minutes in your garden or on your balcony. Breathe in the fresh air and allow your mind to calm. If you don't have an outside, go and sit by a window and let the sun shine on your skin.

- Stop for a few minutes and remind yourself of the 5 things you are grateful for today.

- Put your favourite music on and dance :-)...

and if you're a bloke, just put your music on really loudly (using earphones if you need to so as not to disturb your neighbours!)

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2) Pick up a self help book.

Now don't be put off by the name. Call them inspirational books if that works better for you. I only refer to them as self help as that's what most libraries and bookshops label them as. This is a multi billion pound industry covering books designed to help you with every single area of your life, from how to be happy, to how to ride the waves of marriage, to how to best manage your boss. You can be sure that there is a book out there that covers any challenge that you may have. For the purposes of this blog post, I'll stay away from any employment or job skills related titles and recommend the ones that I have found interesting over the years. The trick here, is to have a few of these books at hand so that you can pick them up and dip into them whenever you feel your mood is slightly off and you need some wise words to pep you up again. I swear they really do help. These come in no particular order. Buy them new or get them second hand on Ebay or on websites like Music Magpie. If you prefer audio versions, try Audible. If you're feeling lazy and just want a potted summary, try Blinkist.

- The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey - The Rules Of Life by Richard Templar - Make Your Bed by William H McRaven - The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters - Don't Sweat The Small Stuff by Richard Carlson - Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

- The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

- The Power Of Now - Eckhart Tolle

- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

- Blink by Malcolm Gladwell These I haven't read, but like the look of:

- The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

- As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

- Learned Optimism: How To Change Your Mind And Your Life by Martin E.P Seligman

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3) Be inspired by one of the motivational greats.

Here are three people that I find incredibly motivating and inspiring.

They might or might not be your cup of tea. But I invite you to put aside any of your prejudices and preconceived ideas and be open minded to the positivity that these people exude. I have included some video links for you to get an idea of their personalities and styles, but would encourage you to dig a little deeper.

Tony Robbins

The Power Of Positive Thinking by Tony Robbins

Oprah Winfrey

How To Stay Positive - a quick snippet from when Oprah was on the Loose Women show.

Ellen Degeneres

Happiness is...by Ellen DeGeneres

Which of the ideas above are you going to try? What other things do you find helpful that you can share? Who do you find inspiring?

If you liked this post, you might like to read our post on What To Do When You're Home Alone

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