Find your happy: stay positive

Blog by Aimee Baker

At a time such as this, when the UK are on lockdown and the world is in crisis, it is difficult to try and stay positive.

You have to remind yourself that this is not going to be the situation forever. Just for now. For the foreseeable future but not indefinitely. The focus at this time should be on finding your happy. Before everything returns to ‘normal’ perhaps use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to?

“It is not doing too much that makes us stressed, it is doing too little of what brings us joy”. Whatever it is that brings you joy, make time for it, a little bit of a good thing can overshadow the negative feelings you may be experiencing.

It is all about your mindset. If you think positive, you feel positive. If you do something that makes you happy then this usually creates happiness in yourself. It is important to use this time to reflect on what truly makes you happy.

It can be very hard for those who have been fortunate enough not to suffer with their mental health to understand what someone is going through when they are in the midst of a crisis.  Supporting each others mental health does not need to be ‘crisis response’, if you have a positive thought about someone then say it, nobody can really know what a person is thinking or feeling unless they decide to share this with you. You don’t always know what a person is going through at any one time and therefore it is important to always be kind and supportive to others. It will make you feel good and it will make them feel good. The only way we will get through this crisis is together.

Supporting one another through this challenging time is key. Even when we are forced to be apart, we can still be together. We all are missing spending time with our loved ones but it is important to stay connected. Make a phone call, send a text message, write them a letter, send them a photograph. Check in. This will help them but in turn also help you.

If you’re feeling a bit lost at the moment, try writing down a few daily goals to maintain focus. Centre these goals not just around getting household tasks done but perhaps one or two goals to bring you joy that day.

Happiness is a skill you can learn. Give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen?!

Stay Safe. Stay Happy. Be kind.