
Fifty-Two Ways To Be More Positive When Surrounded By Negativity

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
Recent polls reveal Americans are more anxious and stressed out than ever before. Why? Inflation costs to post-pandemic stressors, war threats, and pressure at home and work; people feel uneasy and overwhelmed.
The external pressures of the world are squeezing people, filling them with stress and worry, which takes a severe toll on marriage.
What are some ways to stay positive when surrounded by negativity? You can reduce the impact of stress by having habits and a routine that nurtures your mental and physical well-being.
A great place to start is having physical and mental activities that keep you more positive and less anxious.
Let’s explore some of the best exercises that enhance a more positive lifestyle and effectively deal with feelings of restlessness that come with living in times of uncertainty.
Physical vs. Mental Exercises To Be More Optimistic
Through years of research, scientists have discovered that physical and mental exercises impact how we see the world and our place in it.
In fact, as our self-confidence increases, we have a more positive mindset, and we get sick less often.
Physical Exercises
Physical exercise improves our overall health. Not only does it help maintain a trim waistline, but it also brightens mood while reducing symptoms of worry, depression, and anxiety.
Enjoying regular physical activity helps us look good and feel good about ourselves.
You could be one workout from feeling better about your life and being more resourceful about your situation when feeling worried and anxious.
After only 15–20 minutes of exercise, the brain releases feel-good hormones that flow through your system and begin to lower anxiety and depression. And get this, they also improve your self-esteem, lift your mood, and enhance cognitive functions helping you make better decisions.
Among the best exercises you can do to be more positive are aerobic exercises to get your heart pumping and blood and oxygen flowing through your veins.
Also, you’ll reap even more benefits if you do these exercises outdoors in the fresh air, weather permitting. One study shows that working out in nature improves self-esteem, reduces stress, and makes you feel more cheerful.
So, if you’re feeling worried, anxious, stressed, or depressed about your situation, add physical activity to your routine to start turning things around because of your vastly improved mental and emotional health.
Mental Exercises
According to public health experts, mental health is a genuine concern and should be a top priority, especially in the post-pandemic era.
It can be as simple as having a vision board to take charge of your life’s direction and destiny instead of drifting helplessly along as a victim of circumstance.
Another thing you can do to regulate your mood is to keep a gratitude journal because it shifts your focus from what you don’t have to the blessings in your life. You can count your blessings or burdens; it’s your choice.
By practicing mental health-nurturing activities, you can do a bit of soul-searching and look inward to better understand who you are. The better you know yourself, the easier you’ll find it to navigate life’s ups and downs, which has a positive and powerful impact on your marriage.
When you know your values and principles and have a clear vision of who you are and what you want, you’ll make a better decision when facing a crossroads. Here’s a list of fifty activities that boost mental health:
52 Positive-Thinking Exercises
- Engage in physical activity
- Practice positive affirmations
- Enjoy gardening
- Listen to uplifting music
- Read more and scroll less
- Socialize in person
- Pray and meditate
- Do gentle stretching and breathe deeply
- Give the brain a workout by learning a new language
- Dance
- Learn Tai Chi
- Get 7-9 hours of good, quality sleep each night
- Play brain games like chess, Sudoku, puzzles, and crosswords
- Evaluate and acknowledge the past to learn from it, not live in it
- Forgive and release
- Practice visualization
- Celebrate your victories
- Take charge of negative self-talk
- List three blessings upon awakening and going to bed
- Don’t stress over things that are inconsequential in the long run
- Volunteer regularly to support a cause close to your heart
- Do something thoughtful for someone you care about
- Create a daily self-care routine
- Focus on your breathing
- Do something creative to challenge your brain
- Find your happy place and spend time their often
- Acknowledge the things you can’t control
- Smile more often throughout the day!
- Limit the amount of negativity you allow into your life
- Be nice to yourself
- Avoid catastrophizing – the “sky is falling” thinking
- Believe in yourself and be more supportive!
- Acknowledge, evaluate, and learn from your mistakes
- Do one thing weekly that makes you feel uncomfortable
- Create smaller, realistic goals
- Read one positive quote daily
- Memorize and claim Bible promises
- Start a vision board
- Set clear boundaries for when work ends and personal time begins
- Learn a new skill
- Take responsibility instead of playing the victim
- Look for the good in your world
- Acknowledge and embrace that you’re worthy of good things
- Sit up straight; good posture = better mood.
- Make it a point to learn something new every week
- Be constructive in your criticism of yourself and others
- Know your strengths and weaknesses
- Be compassionate
- Use the mirror technique
- Make peace with the past for a better future
- Turn off technology for 30 minutes each day
- List all the great things about your spouse and read it daily
Just because we’re surrounded by negativity doesn’t mean we have to be gloomy and pessimistic, especially if we want a happy marriage! The person we allow ourselves to be determines what kind of spouse we’ll be.
Are you feeling anxious, worried, or depressed? If so, how do you think it might be affecting your marriage?
You can begin unlocking your best marriage by taking charge of your inner world to become a more positive person, making you a more loving, happier, and optimistic spouse.