“Stay positive even when things are not going as planned” yeah. Easier said than done.

I've heard this phrase a lot, and while I agree with it, many people don't seem to understand how difficult it can be to maintain a positive mindset when everything is going wrong.

Being positive has its advantages; in fact, it is the best set of minds for having better relationships with others, more focus and concentration, more confidence, the ability to combat stress more effectively, a stronger immune system, an overall healthier lifestyle, the ability to reduce pain, and increased life longevity.

Our brains have a habit of exaggerating events that would otherwise be minor and enhancing any feelings (both positive and negative).

Researchers discovered that sadness was the longest-lasting emotion out of a total of 27 emotions; shame, surprise, fear, disgust, boredom, being touched, irritation, and relief, on the other hand, were the shortest-lasting emotions.

So you can see how the brain restructures itself to ignore the small positives that come our way and focus on the negatives, even if they have no future consequences. We mentally add it to the list of things that are already bad, and then use that state of mind to make decisions that will have a negative or less-than-expected outcome.

My point is that it can be challenging to have a positive mindset when you have no confidence in yourself or the events happening around you. We constantly expect the worst because “why not, better to expect less since that is what has been happening to me recently”.

So when you advise someone to have a positive mindset then also show them the way to stay positive. With that said, I will share my tips on how to stay positive and optimistic in negative situations.

7 ways to stay positive in negative situations

1. Determine what is beyond your control

Worrying about things that are out of your control can be very damaging to one’s mental health. You may/will get overwhelmed or anxious spending so much time on something that you cannot change no matter how much you worry over it.

So It is important to come to terms with what you can and cannot control, then stop putting so much effort into what is out of your control. This will only tire you out while bringing a huge feeling of hopelessness. Instead, try to make positive changes in the aspects of your life that are within your reach and go from there.

2. Do something nice for someone

Get out of your own head and help someone else. Volunteering has been shown to have psychological benefits, and giving back has been linked to good mental health.

For example, performing an act of kindness will make you feel better as well as the other person. You can spread positivity by helping others, listening to others, and being uplifting and encouraging.

3. Keep A Journal

I know it's difficult and unpopular, but writing things down helps a lot. It functions similarly to a self-therapy examination of yourself, allowing you to see things from a higher perspective, making it easier to understand your current situation and see a possible solution that is within your control (don't forget tip number one).

Another thing that science agrees on: journaling is good for your health. It can help you get out of a slump and improve your mood. If you're skeptical about the tangible benefits of journaling, believe this: it can even help relieve asthma and rheumatoid arthritis!

4. Learn more about yourself

Understanding your emotions and how you react to various stressors is critical when attempting to maintain a positive attitude. The first step is to recognize when you are becoming overwhelmed or anxious. By being aware of your emotions, you will be able to prevent certain emotions from having a negative impact on your life and, thus, remain positive.

You can, for example, incorporate coping mechanisms or self-care activities that are unique to you. Listening to music or going for a walk, for example, can help you relax and think rationally and optimistically.

5. Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings

This is especially important when dealing with negative people because it can be tricky. We're tempted to listen to their problems and try to help them, and we're convinced that their negativity doesn't affect us; however, the adage "You are the company you keep" holds significant weight. Their negativity will have an effect on you.

This also applies to people who are lazy or unambitious; their energy can influence yours even when you are trying to get out of that mood; they have a way of making everything appear dull and colorless. Keep your distance from them until you are completely positive and optimistic.

6. Believe in yourself

Believing in yourself involves having faith in your own abilities. It means having full faith in yourself to do what you say you'll do and knowing that your efforts will yield the desired results. That means a variety of crucial psychological experiences, including those related to self-worth, self-confidence, self-trust, autonomy, and environmental mastery, combine to produce the feeling of self-belief.

When we believe in ourselves, a variety of psychological processes are triggered, assisting us in reaching our objectives, realizing our dreams, and improving our wellbeing. Build that fire inside of you, feed it plenty of good wood, keep it going, and then use that fire to confront those challenges (burn through). I for one believes in you.

7. Face your fears

Now it is time to face that fear, it may seem hard and impossible but if you have followed the above list of advice then you should have more perspective and now have a little more understanding of the issue at hand. I don’t mean that you will already have the solution or the results will be significant, focus on small achievements and victories, celebrate them, learn from the inevitable mistakes that will come, and keep working hard.

Understand what is not in your control, accept them and focus on the ones you can change, have patience and don’t expect instant results. Always zoom out and look at the bigger picture and most of all, believe in yourself.

With the aid of these suggestions, I sincerely hope that things start going well for you, and I offer my support in all your endeavors. Anything you set your mind to, you can achieve.