Stay Positive

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It’s relatively easy for someone to tell you to think positive.  If only it were that easy.  There is no magic wand to alter your mood, even temporarily.

Yet in your heart, you know that having negative thoughts are wrong.  It not only puts you in a bluesy, funky mood, but such negativity can increase your fatigue, if not cause additional pain.  Your immune system too, studies have shown, is affected by your thought patterns. 


What can you do?  Here are six strategies that may work for you.

  • Reach out.  Join an association or, if it brings you peace, a religious group. It should be an alliance that has members with shared interests.  Not a party person or dislike a bevy of people because you see them as forming cliques, then call one friend. Having social contacts, but only those with a positive outlook on life may help you remove the dark clouds that seem to produce only brutal rain
  • Listen to (happy) music or a comedian.  Having earplugs connected to a recording device may appear funny, but if it helps you get through the day, who cares?
  • Think of tomorrow.  Yesterday you may have been a victim, but today you are in control.  Your life begins today.
  • Be grateful.  Show gratitude.  Say “thank you” either verbally to those who help you, or write simple, joyous notes to those who have given you support.
  •  Allow yourself to laugh.  No one enjoys being around a sourpuss - especially yourself. Watch a funny show, listen to a humorous person, read a hilarious book.  Incidentally, studies have shown that laughter reduces levels of stress hormones and protects against infections.  Though not everyone has the skill set for this type of transmission, you might also be more fun to be around if you can share the comical insights you have gleaned from third-party sources, if you are not funny on your own.
  • Finally, get up (if you are able) and do something.  Ever notice that often as soon as a person retires, or a spouse dies, individuals succumb to depression and suicidal thoughts.  By keeping active - it can be merely getting out of bed to get a cup of coffee, or better yet, to pick up the mail or take a shower, as this involves dressing or undressing - you help stave off melancholy.
Know which strategies work for you and how much time you need to give them to lift up your spirits works

Have any thoughts on the issue? Share them with us at www.MatureAging.com, and we may post them (only after getting your permission) in a future edition.

Till next time,

Josh

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