Take positive action!

Make the most of the okay/good times so we can be better equipped for difficult times. Life is messy and complicated. Here are some ways to take positive action to help us feel better and cope well with whatever comes our way.

We have one body. Care for and cherish it. When we are fit, we feel strong, confident, and ready to face the world head-on.

Eat foods that are not processed. Enforce that rule for children in the run-up to mealtimes (e.g. veg, fruit).

Drink water first thing in the morning and hydrate throughout the day. Get up earlier than you currently do. Use that time to stretch and write a plan for the day ahead.

Love yourself right now. Do not wait for some imaginary point in the future. You are the youngest you will ever be today!

Be amused by simple things. Laugh at your mistakes. Stop taking yourself seriously.

Be mindful of wandering into unhelpful and unpleasant thoughts about either the past or the future. Recall past events to examine the lessons learned but not to give yourself a hard time. The future is imaginary. When we start a sentence with “what if…..” it’s usually an anxious thought. We rarely say, “what if it’s a raging success” or “what if I love it”. Make plans and set goals. Take control of your thoughts and tackle your worries by becoming aware and challenging any negative inner dialogue.

Give praise generously (yourself and others).

Practice the skill of living in the moment. Learn a relaxation technique such as calm breathing, yoga, meditation etc. Watch birds feed or the trees move in the breeze. Walk barefoot in the garden or beach. Create space in your day to create space in your mind.

Smile. Even if wearing a mask. It lifts your mood.

Stay connected to others. Phone people for a chat. Better still, meet someone for a walk. Offer help whenever you can. Say “no” whenever you can’t. We feel good when we are helping. Bake for neighbours or give friends flowers from your garden. Treat yourself to things you enjoy such as a bubbly bath.

Comparisons never work and they don’t change anything! Stop mind reading or guessing what others think.

Be gentle in your thoughts, behaviour, and words.

Schedule time every week to tackle your worries. Write them down, examine them. Make a plan of action. Ask yourself what advice you’d give to a close friend about a problem you face and then take your own advice! Allow people to help you. Seek counsel and support.

Complaining or gossiping do not bring about positive change.

Learn to let go of your attachment to physical things. De-clutter. Let go of the past and of unrealistic expectations.

Forgive as best you can. Accept whatever wrongdoings that happened. Leave your past in the past and learn to be forward-facing (towards your future). Despite all that has happened, you are alive. Celebrate living.

We are all human. We make mistakes. Everyone is vulnerable. We all have a breaking point and a limit. You never know what is going on in someone’s life or head. Always be kind.

You hold a unique place in this world.

You make a difference.