It’s reframe time!
Any Negative Nancys out there? We all have a tendency to see the glass half empty rather than half full sometimes...here are my tips to make sure you focus on the positive aspects, shall we say the silver lining of situations.
- Make a pro list for whatever is feeling negative
I currently live in downtown Manhattan but I am moving to the Upper East Side when my lease is up. I was missing nature that resides in Central Park and feeling claustrophobic in my neighborhood. I turned it around and made a list of everything amazing downtown, new restaurants, healthy options etc...I loved my list so much it inspired me to go to a new place every day!
- Meditation
Meditating allows the mind to become quiet and for you to feel more peace in your current situation. My meditation includes sitting quietly using The Mindfulness App or Deepak and Oprah’s guided meditation for 20 minutes . I take deep inhales and exhales while I focus on letting all my thoughts pass through me.
Whenever I am feeling down, I put on comfortable shoes and go for a calm walk. Something about moving the body is freeing and the endorphins really do help my mood! When you are physically active, chemicals called endorphins are released from your body. Interestingly enough, endorphins mimic similar feelings from morphine (without any negative effects) and make you feel extremely good.
- Music
Listening to songs that remind me of the happiest moments of my life or some just-darn-good Motown music puts a pep in my step! Check out, “All I Have to Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers and “We Belong Together” by Ritchie Valens.
- A Joy Journal
Take 5 minutes every day to write down the best parts of your day, ranging from a delicious lunch with a close friend to a snuggle with your pup. Revisiting your joy journal can make negative situations seem less important or not as severe.