The environment is in trouble. The economy is even worse. The election has us all on the edge of our seats. If you’re feeling tense, depressed, or just plain old stressed, here are some quick tips to up the optimism. We face challenges, yes, but there’s plenty of good if you look around:

Know that you have the power to make positive changes in your life, and that your life will touch the lives of others.

Expect the best.

Remember what you’re grateful for – every day.

Stay present.

Be willing to let go of your assumptions about yourself and the world.

Remember that what happened in the past will not automatically happen in the future.

Be persistent, assertive and confident.

Acknowledge that pain, disappointment and failure are a part of life – but not all of life.

Make a list of motivating and inspiring quotes.

When you make a plan, believe in it!

Make sure to read about the good news that’s happening in the world. Try Great News Network.

Take care of your health and eliminate junk food! (A good rule of thumb: avoid “white” foods.)

Don’t dwell on the past or obsess over the future. It’s hard, but try to focus on the moment.

Get rid of your jangly alarm and wake up to soothing sounds. Who ever invented the screeching alarm clock, anyway?

Be open minded to new situations and ideas. We all have biases that color our judgment and cloud our thinking.

Remember: things change! Everything changes, and it’s helpful to accept this rather than resent it.

Instead of worrying about general problems, get more specific to come up with a solution.

Stop taking things so personally. Try not to internalize what’s going on around you.

Be generous and help others.

Keep a diary – not just of the bad times, but the good times, too!

Image: elusive.