How to Keep Positive in Tough Times

Now more than ever it is necessary that we all learn how to stay positive during tough times. Here are 9 different ways you can stop negative thinking and stay positive when you are faced with adversity.

 

 

 

This blog post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

 

I think we can all agree that a positive attitude is important to have. It will make us feel better, help us to be more productive and it can reduce stress. But what if you are finding it difficult to stay positive?

 

The problem we face is that our lives are complicated. Things don’t always go according to plan and can lead us into a crisis. Whether on a personal level, like a midlife crisis, or something much more widespread, like the coronavirus pandemic, we must learn to keep positive as we tackle challenges.

 

ways to stay positive when times get tough

 

Keeping Positive in Tough Times

 

When something takes hold and affects our daily life, it makes it tough to keep our spirits up. Many of us struggle to find a way to stay positive and hopeful when going through the most difficult of times. If you find yourself having a hard time coping with a crisis, the following will be beneficial to you:

 

1. Don’t Ignore the Problem

Disregarding an issue may feel good in the short-term, but it isn’t going to help you stay positive. Putting your head in the sand won’t solve anything, nor will it help you move past a difficult time.

 

Take a deep breath, collect yourself, and accept what is in front of you. Ignoring it will not make it go away.

 

2. This Too Shall Pass

 

This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.

-Unknown

 

When we are in the middle of a difficult situation, it is nearly impossible to keep things in perspective. We need to recognize that the circumstance is temporary. While things may seem dire right now, it is so vital to remember that it won’t be this way forever.

 

3. Create a Strategy

One of the single best things we can do to maintain positivity during tough times is to decide on how to deal with it. When we focus on the solution rather than the problem, we will feel more positive.

 

If help is needed to kickstart your positivity, I have a free workbook that will assist you in releasing your negativity and becoming more positive in your everyday life. It also includes daily positivity affirmations.

 

You can download the Practicing Positivity Affirmations & Workbook from my Free Resource Library.

 

4. Count Your Blessings

Even during great personal turmoil, we still have things we are grateful for. When things get tough, it is vital to remember that there is good in the world, and more importantly, in our life. When we are struggling, take some time to list the things in life we are grateful for.

 

Use a gratitude journal to remind yourself of everything to be thankful for. You can read all about why I believe gratitude is an attitude, as well as take advantage of the inexpensive printable gratitude journal I offer in my shop. 

 

30 Day Gratitude Journal

5. Reach Out

While we are going through a tough time, so are others. Reach out to loved ones and offer support. Helping others is a great way to help ourselves. It’s amazing how being of service to others can boost your own positivity while lifting the spirit of others.

 

If you feel you need support, don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance. Support in and support out. When things are dire, it is comforting when people pull together to help one another.

 

The Crisis Text Line website offers free assistance 24/7 to those in crisis. Use it if you need it or consider becoming a volunteer to help others.

 

6. Take a Break

When circumstances seem so severe that we are forced to think of our problems constantly, it is time to take a break.

 

It is perfectly fine to take a breather.  Turn off the news. Log off from all social media. Take a break from people that may be bringing you down. It doesn’t have to be for long, and it may not be easy at first, but a time out can help keep you positive.

 

7. Journal Your Feelings

Journaling is a powerful tool in so many ways. When we vent to a friend, we always feel better afterward. Consider the journal as your BFF. That BFF is always open to listening to you as you express your feelings, frustrations, and anxieties without being judged.

 

21 days to worry less journal

8. Focus on What You Control

When our world seems like it is spinning out of control, it is completely normal to feel helpless. One way to address this and to stay more positive is to focus on the things we can control. Quit fretting over things out of your control, and instead focus on making sure to do your best job on the things within your command. 

 

9. Embrace Distractions

Distractions are usually our enemy, right? We usually try to avoid them at all costs. However, when we are struggling to stay positive in tough times, distractions may be just what we need.

 

Here are some things to help distract you from your negative thoughts:

 

  • Take a Walk

Walking has so many benefits for your mind and body. I have written about it in detail in my post 5 Reasons To Walk Each Day.

 

  • Listen to Music

That feeling when your favorite song is playing just can’t be beat. Check out some fun playlist posts: Girl Power Song of the 70s | 70s & 80s Songs With Dance In The Title | Songs for Spring | Mom Songs | Pandemic Playlist.

 

  • Play a Game

Try your hand at a card game, a jigsaw puzzle, crossword or word search, or a family board game. Some of my favorite classics are Boggle | Yahtzee | Trouble | Clue.

 

  • Color

Yes, I said color! Read my post 7 Reasons To Color As An Adult for why I think coloring is a terrific mind healer.

 

  • Binge on TV

With services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ readily available, there’s always something to binge on. If you want a great service that is completely free, check out Pluto TV. Do yourself a huge favor and avoid serious dramas and instead choose a lighthearted comedy instead.

 

By following the tips provided here, I hope you will be able to stay more positive when you experience a tough time. It is important to remember, however, that you aren’t expected to be positive all the time. It is perfectly fine to feel sad, angry, scared, and anxious. This doesn’t make you negative, it only makes you human.

22 thoughts on “How to Keep Positive During Tough Times”

  1. Amanda Silver

    This is really great advice. I have been struggling with anxiety and feeling a little hopeless during this pandemic. These tips will definitely come in handy 🙂

    1. Thank you! I think we are all feeling a bit hopeless but we’ve come a long way already. Keep pushing 🙂

  2. Good tips. We can’t control our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them.

  3. I love this! These are great tips for staying positive during hard times! I am definitely a big believer in focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t. They say the more gratitude you give the more you will have to be grateful for! Love you gratitude Journal!

  4. This is such a great blog post and very appro pro given the current pandemic season. I didn’t realize it until I was reading your post, but I’ve done a combination of several of the things you’ve mentioned to help manage stress levels. Listing to music, counting my blessings and just good old fashion card game sessions have been extremely therapeutic. Great job here! 🙂

    1. I am glad you enjoyed the post! It is the small things that add up and make a big difference 🙂

  5. Hi it’s Brenda from RubyHemMinistries.com It can be a struggle right now but you’re right “This too shall pass.” Thanks for the encouragement, hang in there, we’re creating a new world but that doesn’t mean everything we know, like, and enjoy must die.

  6. Ann

    Great advice for going through tough times! I used a lot of these after almost dying and nearly losing my leg a couple of years ago. It is so important to try to stay positive and to be grateful for every little thing. Thank you for sharing!

    1. I imagine that was extremely frightening! Being grateful and positive can really improve your outlook when faced with adversity. 🙂

  7. Love the advice! Not just for this crisis but for life in general. Thank you! This is something my husband and I speak of frequently both being in recovery.

  8. I loved this post! Thank you for all the great suggestions for how to keep spirits up during tough times. It can be so easy sometimes to get caught up in the negatives and forget that there is still so much to be thankful for.

  9. I love #8! They are easy steps to take, but we all need to be reminded to take a break and do something for ourselves. There is a doctor I follow, Caroline Leaf, and she says that when you are faced with a situation to imagine that situation/people in a box. Close the box, and walk away. It sounds silly at first, but it has helped me get through tough times. We might not be able to control what’s going on around us, but we can control how we respond and react!

  10. All important stuff!! Thank you for the resources and great ideas! I go back and forth between being ok and then not. But like you said, that just makes me human.

    1. Robin, there’s no handbook on how to deal with this. We’ll have good days and bad days, and we will make it through either way. 💚

  11. Good Information for these times that we are living in. Praying for our country. Lovely blog..

    Julia Lansdell
    Bucket List Living Blog

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