Blog Post | Positive Thinking in Tough Times

Positive Thinking in Tough Times

Power of Positivity

Yes, these are some troubling days we are all going through. Turn on the news and you’ll get an earful of how bad things really are—not only in your community but around the world. Dive into social media and you can't help but be reminded of the difficulties that folks are enduring on an entire host of upsets, not just the virus.  It's enough to trigger:

  • Contagious upset in the home
  • Excessive hours spent keeping up with the news
  • Panic, Overwhelm, Fear, Sadness, Irritability
  • Automatic negative thinking
  • What else?

The real question is what does any of that do to empower any of us?  The best approach is to be informed and up to date, but not to endure endless hours in front of the TV or on social media monitoring everything out of sorts. 

So, how can you do that in tough times?  Mindset shifting.  Turn down the volume on what's wrong and turn up the volume on what's right in your life.  Spending disproportionate amounts of time dwelling on what's wrong keeps you stuck and leads to more emotional suffering.  Wouldn't you agree?  Shifting your mindset to the positives by focusing on what's right can help you find your calm and do your best thinking to get through these days.  

Here are a few ideas that can help you with a mindset and mood shift:

Appreciation/Gratitude Board: Start your day with acknowledging what you appreciate: "Today, I am grateful for..."  Write it down, put it where you see it all day long.  Maybe you have a whiteboard or blackboard in the kitchen.  For that matter, you can use a post-it sheet on the wall.  Get your family involved in adding to the Appreciation/Gratitude board.  Set out markers and stickers to inspire creativity.  

Pennies In Your Pocket: Challenge yourself to pay attention to what is right throughout the day.  Here is a strategy we use for parenting that can also work for you.  Put five pennies in your left pocket.  Every time you see and acknowledge something is right, switch a penny to the right pocket.  The goal...get all five pennies in the right pocket by the end of the day.  You can also use the pennies in your pocket for encouragement, switching a penny every time you share positive, encouraging words with another.  

Self-Care Space Or Station: Don't underestimate the power of self-care.  What activities boost your energy and joy?  Is it music, exercise, meditation, playing board games, working on puzzles, therapeutic art?  We all understand that today's troubles will be around for a while.  Create a self-care space or station in your home that helps you and your family get into their zone with what they love to do.  Work on a family playlist.  Encourage exercise inside when you can't get outside.  Be creative.  The more you can boost your endorphins, the more positive life gets.  

It's a positive mindset that clears your thinking and keeps you strong. 

Peace, Well-Being and Grace to you.

 

Robin Nordmeyer, PCAC, CLC
ADHD Coach | Center For Living Well with ADHD, LLC

More about Robin

 

 

Katherine Jahnke
ADHD Coach | Center For Living Well with ADHD, LLC

More about Katherine