None of us can be relentlessly upbeat all the time, but a positive mind-set is crucial when the going gets tough! With practice, we can learn to adjust our attitudes in order to make them work in our favor. One of the major things I have started to work on lately is my own personal development. My goal is to improve my outlook on life to a more positive one.  During good days and bad, I strive to view the world in a positive light. In this blog post, I’d like to share 9 of the smartest and most effective habits for achieving a more positive attitude.

1. Be Grateful

Stop for a moment and take a step back from your life to look at it with an observer’s eye.

Would people see the horrible life that you see? Or do you focus so much on the negativity that it blinds you from all of the positive things in your life?

Take a moment today to really reflect on the things you are grateful for.

Write them down. You will be amazed at how fortunate you really are.

And if nothing else, be grateful to be alive. This world has so much to offer and so many opportunities.

Just remember, there is always somebody who wishes they had what you have, so be grateful that you have it.

2.  Surround Yourself With Positive People

This may seem pretty obvious, but really think about who you surround yourself with.

Are they always in a bad mood? Do your conversations revolve around complaints? Do you feel good after being around them?

Don’t let people drag you down throughout the day.

Be with people that inspire you, lift you up, and make you smile. When you smile, you send a message to your brain that you are in a good mood and your negativity will pass.

 3. Go With The Flow

No matter how much we structure our lives, sometimes things happen that are completely out of our control. If we let them consume us with anger, frustration and stress, then we will become negative.

Embrace change with open arms because it is going to happen whether you try to control it or not.

Choose instead to breath, let go, and go with the flow.

 4. Stay In the Present Moment

Be aware of the here and now because you will only live it once.

Even further, experience it as it happens. If you focus on the “what if’s” and past experiences, you are not in the moment.

Use your senses. What do you hear? What do you see? What are you feeling?

If you are sipping on a cup of coffee, notice the richness of the flavor on your tongue.

Live. 

5. Stay Hydrated

Drink more water.

Water makes up more than 50% of our body, we need it to function properly. It will keep your skin clear, eliminate headaches and keep your mood level throughout the day.

Keep a water bottle with you so you will become aware of how much you are drinking. It will also serve as a reminder to sip water from it more often.

I promise you will feel more refreshed and alert, ultimately making it easier to be positive.

6. Eat Well

Eating well will also allow you to stay more positive.

I try to eat only organic food products and avoid sugar as often as possible. I have noticed a significant improvement to my mood. When I eat well, I feel better.

I guess that saying, “you are what you eat” really is true.

So do your research and start eating better!

7. Exercise

I know. I know. Everyone tells you to exercise more.

They promise how great you will feel because of the endorphins and the exhilaration. I can practically see you rolling your eyes. But it’s true!

Even if it takes small baby steps to get to that ideal twenty minutes a day, you have to start somewhere.

Sit up in bed when you wake up and stretch your arms above your head. Rotate your neck and wiggle your toes.

You have been laying down immobile all night. Get out of bed and let your body hang over to touch your toes.

It will force you to slow down in the morning to recognize it is a new day and a fresh start.

8. Get Enough Sleep

I am naturally a night owl, and so waking up early has always been a challenge for me.

After a solid, good night’s sleep, I wake up feeling like anything is possible -and it is!

Try going to bed just a few minutes earlier than you usually do, even if it means just laying in bed with the lights off.

Put your phone away and let your body detox from the day’s whirlwind of activities.

Your body and mind need to relax, so let it.

You will have better dreams, and eventually will be able to wake up in a more positive mood.

9. Don’t Let Fear Bring You Down

You will be presented with opportunities to try new things in your life. Will you try them?

A common trap when you want to do one of those things is to get lost in the fear of taking action. What would happen if you actually tried?

And so the mind races with nightmare scenarios fueled by fear. I know, I have been there many times.

I used to ask myself : what is the worst that can happen? But over the years, I have discovered that the worst thing that could realistically happen is usually not as scary as whatever nightmare my brain can dream up.

So instead, I choose to stay positive.

Don’t lose sight of the benefits new opportunities can bring to you. Step out of your comfort zone and take that chance!