Optimism in Times of Turmoil

From personal crises to global upheavals, navigating through rough patches is tough for even the most optimistic person. Maintaining a positive outlook during these times doesn’t mean that we just keep smiling and just ignore the bad stuff. In times of turmoil, it is easy to write everything off as terrible. But worst of all, we end up overlooking the wonderful things that happen in our day.

We have all heard that a positive outlook can lead to better health, longer life spans, and a greater sense of well-being. When you aim for optimism, your brain learns to find ways to work through problems that pessimism might block you from seeing. Leveraging optimism fosters resilience, enabling you to recover from setbacks faster and more effectively. From this more calm and peaceful state, we have access to more clarity and creativity can flourish.

It has been said before but is always worth repeating: We must remind ourselves to keep looking for the good around us. Optimistic people habitually hold onto the belief that things will get better. They actively choose to prevent falling into a downward spiral of negative thoughts and events.

Train Your Thinking

The best way to start changing your thinking patterns and learn how to make optimism a more default mode is by starting with a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. This could be as small as a good cup of coffee, a friend’s smile, or even as simple as the fact that you have a warm bed to sleep in. This practice shifts your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right and eventually becomes a habit of thought. You are literally training yourself to notice the good!

Another way is to set yourself up for success in small and frequent intervals. This could be anything from cleaning one closet at a time to starting a new hobby. Achieving these goals gives you a sense of accomplishment and proof that yes, you can impact your world, and yes, things can get better. It reminds you to focus on what is in your control, what is in front of you, and as the accomplishments stack up, confidence (and therefore resilience) grows. Each small success reinforces the fact that you can do great things.

Staying Physically Active

As a nurse, I must add the importance of physical health and exercise. Never underestimate the power of physical activity in boosting your mood. Exercise releases endorphins and those chemicals act like natural painkillers and mood elevators. You don’t need to run a marathon—just a brisk walk in the park or a quick yoga session can make a huge difference in your mood.

Keeping your body healthy is an important step in maintaining optimism. A mostly sedentary life tends to create more health problems. Build physical activity into every single day and your mind and body will thank you. You will be stronger and have better endurance which helps us enjoy life and its activities more fully. Eating healthy and sleep well- your body will feel better and your energy will lead to improved outlooks and attitudes.

Limiting Exposure to Negativity, Mindfulness

We are always being bombarded by a constant stream of news. While staying informed is important, there’s a fine line between being informed and getting overwhelmed. Be mindful of your media consumption. It’s okay to take a break from the news or to mute that group chat that pulls you into worry and distraction. Protecting your mental space is not selfish, it’s necessary. It is a responsibility that we all must uphold for ourselves as individuals.

Mindfulness can significantly enhance your ability to remain positive. Through mindfulness practices, you learn to stay present and grounded, reducing stress and anxiety. By focusing on the now, you’re less likely to get swept away by worries about the future or regrets over the past. There are many ways and opportunities to practice mindfulness, however I believe that frequency and consistency are more important than any one specific practice. If you have a favorite way to practice mindfulness, I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

Staying positive doesn’t mean you ignore the difficulties life presents. It means you approach them with a mindset that values resilience, seeks growth, and finds joy in the smallest of things. When faced with a challenge, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can I grow? Challenges are opportunities in disguise—if you’re willing to look for them.

Stay positive, stay resilient, and turn those tumultuous times into steppingstones for growth. After all, the best views often come after the hardest climbs.

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