As much as we hope, pray and wish for our lives to always be perfect, realistically, that just isn’t possible. We would all love to spend the majority of our life at the beach, with a drink in hand, enjoying the best sunset in the world. But problems are a part of life too. Hard times come for everyone occasionally, and they can seriously test our strength. At times like these, we wonder how to keep positive thinking and keep pessimism and depression at bay. Here is our guide on the best strategies for times when you are down on your luck.

Meditation for stress and anxiety

When we are exposed to too much stress or are unable to process it and be rid of it, it can sometimes cause a permanent feeling of unease and grow into full-blown anxiety. This condition is extremely unpleasant and difficult to cope with. Meditation for stress and anxiety is one of the best methods to alleviate this condition without resorting to medication. There are plenty of different techniques, and it might take some experimenting until you find one that works for you. You can do a guided meditation for stress and anxiety, or if you find that distracting, you can do it alone. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes and try to reign in your restless mind. It will keep wandering, but every time guide it gently back to your point of focus. That can be your breathing, or maybe a relaxing mental image, for instance, the best sunset in the world.

Acceptance of reality

If you are wondering how to keep positive thinking in the face of adversity, you should know that the first step needs to be acceptance. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight, just that you should completely acknowledge the problem. You can only begin to look for a solution if you are fully aware of the situation. Accept your own role and responsibility, and then you can start making decisions that will lead you out of the woods.

Make an effort to embrace positivity

You know how they say you should fake ‘till you make it? Believe it or not, that works. You might not be feeling up to it, but try to consciously surround yourself with positivity. Hang out with optimistic people, smile, laugh, and dance. Make yourself speak in a more affirmative manner, even if you don’t truly believe it. Our capacity to look on the bright side can, to some extent, be trained like a muscle.

Exercise

Believe it or not, exercise doesn’t have a positive effect just on your physical health, but your mental wellbeing as well. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America claims that even five minutes of exercise can have a beneficial effect on our mood, alertness, sleep, and self-image. It actually affects us by means of two different mechanisms: by distracting us from our negative thoughts, and by stimulating the release of endorphins, brain chemicals that cause feelings of happiness and satisfaction. To feel measurable improvement, try to incorporate 3 to 5 half-hour sessions of exercise into your week. Start smaller if you are out of shape.

Bottom line

Trouble can take many faces: health issues, unemployment, lack of financial stability, family matters – to name a few. Whatever the cause, too much stress can easily tip us over into depression and anxiety. The first tool in fighting against such a negative outcome is awareness and our wish to overcome our problems. It takes time, strength and will power, but it’s possible, and sometimes just knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel can be the start of our journey out.