How To Stay Positive During Difficult Times: 10 Inspiring Ways

Today you’re going to learn how to stay positive during difficult times.

It is possible that the old adage about seeing the glass as half full or half empty is true. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you are going through a difficult time.

While it may seem daunting, there are a few things you can do to stay positive during stressful circumstances. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions that can help you boost your mood and look at things from a more positive perspective.

How To Stay Positive During Difficult Times:

1. Be grateful for all that you have.

Instead of focusing on the bad aspects of your situation, try focusing on the good ones. Focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.

For example, if you are having financial problems right now, you can practice gratitude by remembering the things you do have, such as a place to live and a delicious meal to eat.

You can be grateful for anything, tangible or intangible. For example, it’s great to have a supportive partner or a great friend.

Make a list of everything you are grateful for if it helps you.

Even if you are going through a very difficult time, such as losing a close friend or loved one, you can find gratitude in positive memories of them.

2. Consider your circumstances from a different perspective. 

When you are dealing with many difficult or stressful things at once, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance.

Instead, think about how you came to be in this situation and why things are so difficult right now. Consider the good outcomes that may be coming your way, as well as what you can do to improve your situation.

By asking questions, you can get to the heart of the matter. For example, if you are not doing well at work, you can ask yourself why you are having problems and what actions you can take to improve.

If you’ve been laid off from your job, for example, don’t think of it as a permanent setback. Instead, think about all the new opportunities that are available to you and the new career prospects you can pursue.

3. Don’t worry about things you can’t control.

When times are tough, it may seem like the world is crashing down around you, but the important thing is to focus on what’s important. You can’t solve all the world’s problems, even if there are a lot of them right now.

Consider what steps you can take and what you can do to improve your circumstances.

If you are out of work and having trouble finding employment, stop worrying about when you will get an answer or obsessively thinking about the positions you didn’t get. Focus on the things you can do, such as spending time looking for open opportunities, sending out resumes and filling out applications.

If you are dealing with a health issue such as obesity, you might consider asking yourself: “What can I do to improve my health?” Suggestions like, “I can make sure I get some vegetables with every meal and go exercise once a day” come up.

SEE ALSO: How To Do Something You Don’t Want To Do: 16 Quick Tips

4. Remind yourself that things will eventually get better.

When you are feeling particularly sad, focus on past situations when things were difficult and then got better. Remember that you have gotten through difficult situations before and that you can do it again.

You will succeed, and you will be stronger as a result.

It may be difficult to move beyond your current situation, but if you look back at the past, you will realize that you have done it before.

If you’re struggling with a serious injury or illness right now, remind yourself of health troubles you’ve had in the past that you were able to overcome. You can get through it, even if it takes some time.

5. Surround yourself with people who can make you feel better.

It is in our nature to react and respond to those around us. So if you are surrounded by negative people, you will feel negative, which is especially scary if you are going through a difficult time.

Try to spend time with people who have a good attitude towards life. This can improve your attitude and help you cope better with the situation.

Spending time with people who feed your negative emotions and make you feel even more stressed is something you should try to avoid.

6. You can lift your spirits by getting involved in your hobbies and activities.

Just because a situation is difficult doesn’t mean you should abandon or neglect the things that bring you joy. Continue to make time for your interests and passions because they can help you cope with stress during difficult times.

If you enjoy drawing, playing music, playing sports, or spending time in nature, don’t put your passions aside when you are suffering. They are still important and will help you cope with stress.

You might try a new pastime or something you’ve always wanted to do. For example, if you’ve always wanted to practice yoga or start mma training (1), carve out some time each day to do so!

7. Put away your phone, computer and TV.

Watching gloomy news headlines and fake images of other people on social media can make you feel even worse if you are experiencing a difficult moment. Go for a walk or have a cup of coffee with a friend.

You can also relax by reading an engaging book or doing a relaxing activity. Take a vacation from news, social media, and other time-consuming apps. This can be quite beneficial to your mental health.

Many people on social media portray themselves in the best or most exaggerated light. Compared to others, comparing yourself to others is unhealthy and can have a negative impact on your mental health.

If social media is making you feel terrible about yourself, give yourself a break and take a break from it.

SEE ALSO: How To Rest Effectively: 11 Practical Ideas For Chilling Out

8. Allow your thoughts to relax so you can see things more clearly.

It is easy to feel mentally overwhelmed when you are anxious or dealing with a difficult issue. Meditation can help you see things more clearly, which can help you resolve any difficulties you are experiencing.

To do a basic breathing meditation, close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

Breathing meditation can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, which is beneficial if you are feeling particularly stressed.

9. Contribute or volunteer your time.

It may seem difficult to find the motivation to help others when you are going through a difficult time. Studies show that people who volunteer their time to help others are happier than those who do not.

Try to support others in your area. Look for community or volunteer organizations in your area that you can get involved in and give back to. This can help you maintain a more optimistic attitude about yourself and your circumstances.

You can, for example, volunteer at your local food bank or homeless animal shelter (2). It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll be able to make a real difference.

If you have the financial ability, supporting a charity or cause you care about can help support it while making you feel better about yourself and your situation.

10. If you need help, ask for it.

It can be physical, mental, or emotional help. If you are overworked, ask a friend or colleague to help you with some of your responsibilities. If you are not sure what to do in a difficult situation, ask for advice from someone you trust and respect.

Also, don’t be ashamed to cry or vent your emotions to a friend or family member. You don’t have to suppress your feelings and deal with everything alone. There are people who care about you and who can help you. 

For example, if you just lost a loved one and are having a hard time dealing with it, don’t hide it. Even if you just want to vent or cry, call or visit a close friend or family member and tell them how you feel.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to stay positive during difficult times. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.

Przemkas Mosky
Przemkas Mosky started Perfect 24 Hours in 2017. He is a Personal Productivity Specialist, blogger and entrepreneur. He also works as a coach assisting people to increase their motivation, social skills or leadership abilities. Read more here