This year has been a real test of pretty much everyone’s ability to stay positive when the going gets tough.
And with the arrival of winter bringing colder weather and less daylight hours, many people can often find their mood dipping.
Plus, this year, there is the additional challenge of lockdown restrictions to contend with.
And while we might all be getting more used to adapting to life under these conditions, some of us may well have found it easier to be more positive and get into the ‘Blitz spirit’ during the first lockdown.
Now, after months of dealing with these restrictions at one level or another, many of us will be forgiven if we’re finding it harder to maintain a positive mental attitude.
But there are some things you can do to try to stay positive and look after your own wellbeing during this time. Below are some ideas:
Don’t put pressure on yourself to be positive – this might sound a little paradoxical at first. But to stay mentally positive it is often helpful to acknowledge when you’re feeling low or anxious, or having negative thoughts. Often, we can feel pressured to be, or at least act as if we are, relentlessly positive. That pressure can be exhausting. Part of staying mentally well is being able to acknowledge that some days you just don’t feel as optimistic or happy as others.
Talk to others as openly as you can – particularly if you are feeling a little low. This is something many of us can struggle with, but time and again we hear stories of people who say they felt so much better the moment they opened up and told someone about their worries. Talking about your problem, and having someone listen to you, can often help you feel much more positive about the situation. And if you really don’t feel like you can speak to someone you know personally, there are lots of confidential helplines such as Confidental, specifically for people in dentistry, or Samaritans.
Make time to be outside – this can be a little trickier during the winter when the weather is less inviting. But studies constantly show that being outside, even when it’s not a lovely hot and sunny day, lifts our mood and is good for us. This is something I have definitely tried to do more of during the lockdown, and I’ve really felt the benefit. Getting out into nature for a long walk is great, but just taking 15 minutes on your dinner hour will help to take your mind away from work and get some fresh air. And as mornings and evenings get darker, it may be your only chance to be outside in daylight – which is really important for improving your mood.
Set aside time for something that recharges your batteries – and don’t feel guilty about it! Making time for yourself is not selfish, it is about caring for yourself, which often helps you to be in a place where you can care for others. One of the important ways to look after your own well-being is making sure you have time to rest, recharge and relax – however you do that is up to you. For some it will be curling up with a good book, others might get that same feeling from going on a big hike or getting lost in a good film. Try and make time for yourself on a regular basis, if needs be you can even schedule this time into your diary to try to protect it from being booked up by others and as a reminder to yourself of how important it is.
Challenge yourself to find gratitude every day – this can be extra effective if you write it down. You can do this in a journal or even on little pieces of paper that you put in a jar and read out at the end of the year. You could also do this as a team activity and read out everyone’s notes in a team meeting at the end of each month. It can be a really positive experience to realise that there is always something to be grateful for – even if it’s just having clothes on your back and a roof over your head – and reading them out as a team activity would be a real morale boost. You may also find that doing this in the morning can put you in a positive frame of mind for the rest of the day.
Keeping a positive mental attitude is not always easy, and it is important to recognise that it’s ok to not feel positive all of the time. But there are ways that you can find positivity in more challenging times, which will not only improve your own mental well-being but also support others around you.
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