I have always found the topic of staying or returning to a positive state to be interesting because there are so many different ways of approaching feelings of negative.  I feel that although being a part of some of the most social  networks via the internet can be fulfilling,one can also feel kinda empty when there isn’t a lot going on, so to say.

I go through spurts of depression, sometimes just for a day and sometimes for a few days.  Luckily I haven’t gone longer than about a week, but even a day or a few days can seem like a much longer period of time.

I have found that when I feel this way and it is internet related, the best thing for me to do is shut my laptop and either get out of the house or occupy myself with an activity unrelated to the online world.

This helps, but I thought I’d ask a few online compadres what they do to stay positive or what they do to return to a positive state.  This is how I came up with 10 ways to stay positive:

1. Blog about it. Some are more comfortable doing this than others.  I do have an air of discreteness that I convey and I use discretion, but sometimes opening up via a blog post helps in a huge way.  Doing what is comfortable for you is most important.
2. Talk about it with an irl (in real life) friend.  This may be an online friend or offline friend that you talk to on the phone, but sometimes an offline conversation helps.  Hearing that voice, with immediate response can be very healing.
3. Surround yourself with positive people. This is easier said than done sometimes.  Sometimes, there is no way to get around this one, but in general, you can control some of the relationships you keep in your life.  I had a friendship with a gal who was very negative and always complained, so I distanced myself from the friendship, so her negative vibes wouldn’t rub off on me and get me down.
4. Read positive books. Reading positive books helps us to revive that positive feeling that sometimes gets lost during times of stress.  We know how to be positive,but sometimes our memory gets foggy and we need to be reminded and refreshed.  These books were recommended to me:                     The Secret by Rhonda Byrne                                                                                                      A Purpose Driven Life: Rick Warren
   A New Earth: Finding Your Life’s Purpose: Eckhart Tolle
   Cure For The Common Life: Max Lucado
5. Drink some positive juice. Dr. Lindsey suggested  Sam-e tablets found in health food stores crushed up in  Goji  Berry  juice.  I haven’t tried this yet, but going au natural is more appealing than taking pills, but always talk with your doctor before taking something you aren’t sure about.
6. Relax. Some people meditate, some take a hot bath and others drink a glass of wine.  Taking time for yourself, away from distractions is very important.  I’ve been told before, by a doctor, that I NEED to make time for myself even if I have to schedule it in and even if it’s just a half hour at the gym.  Taking time for yourself is great for clearing the mind and unwinding from the stresses of life…even for just a moment.
7. Reflect. Taking a moment to think about all the positive things in your life.  Think about blessings, friendships, children, ect.  Try to stop the negative thoughts by counting your blessings.
8. Search for inspiration. Reading inspiring stories is hard NOT to do these days.  There are so many stories about how someone turned their life from really bad to really good.  Stories like that are inspiring and motivating.
9. Think about how hard life COULD be. Everyone has some obstacle they are dealing with and everyone has a story.  Realizing that your life could be much worse than it is can turn that smile right side up.
10. Play with your kids. Kids have a special ability of just living life to the fullest.  I often refer to this when I am stressed out, saying that I wish I could go back in time and be without financial stresses because those seem to be the hardest to deal with.  Turn on some music, dance around, shake your arms around and just let.it.go.  Watch how much fun you and your kids have doing this exercise.  Their faces will light up, the sounds of giggling will fill the air and for a moment in time, those negative thoughts will dissipate.

What do you do to stay positive?

Thank you to:

John
Connie
Toni
Sara
Erica
Sandy
Zippy
Katja
Amy
Naomi
Kadi
Elizabeth
Jerri Ann
Cat

For sharing ways to stay positive:)

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