Do you walk around with a frown as if you’re always waiting for the sky to fall? Are you a person that seems to see the glass half empty rather than half full? Don’t worry, as many people tend to have a negative outlook, manifested by pessimism.
The world you live in is a scary place these days, and there are plenty of reasons to dwell on the negative aspects of your life rather than focusing on the positive ones. Pessimism is not something that just comes naturally to many people; it’s a mindset that you must work hard to achieve.
No one wants to be negative, but they often feel that life has handed them so many lemons they don’t even begin to know what to do with them. How do you go about clearing the overwhelming negativity from your life, well here are a few tips to beat your pessimistic outlook once and for all?
15 Ways to Kick Pessimism Out of Your Life and Feel Happier
Here are the techniques that can banish negativity and bring more joy back into your life.
1. Get Rid of Toxic People
The first thing you need to do to start thinking positively is to get rid of the toxic people holding you back. Maybe you are involved in a relationship that has more storms than sunny weather. It’s time to take control of your life.
You have the power to decrease your inner circle. Be incredibly careful about who you let into your life. These negative Nellies can have a dramatic impact on your thought processes. If you’re always hanging around with a “Debbie Downer,” then you will have a hard time having a good outlook.
Alter your relationships for the better and watch the negativity drift away. You are known by the company you keep, and as your grandmother probably said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” So, be careful who you let into your flock.
2. Count Your Blessings
It’s easy to look at those around you and think of all the things that you don’t have. Who doesn’t want to keep up with the neighbors? However, you must learn to count your blessings as they are many.
If you got up this morning to a heated or cooled home, then you are blessed. If there was food on your table, people that love you, and a job that provides income, then you are blessed beyond measure. Stop looking at all the things you don’t have, and you must start focusing on the things that you do have.
3. Try Meditation
Meditation is an excellent way to get rid of all the negative juju that you pick up during the day. How many times do you wish that you could shake off the workday when you come home to be with your family? If you’re in a high-stress environment, it has an impact on you.
Meditation is a great way to clear your mind, body, and spirit. You can let go of the negativity that is holding you back. Did you know that being consistently negative can have a dramatic effect on your health? You must get rid of the pessimism immediately.
4. Change Your Diet
Now, you may think that your diet and pessimism are not even closely related. However, you will be shocked to discover that your gut and brain have a direct link. Plant-based foods have been proven to be what’s best for your system.
Diets high in carbohydrates and meat can have a dramatic effect on your body. Have you ever eaten healthy for a few days in a diet attempt and felt great? The sad part was when you fell off the wagon how miserable you felt.
The key to remember is how horrible your lackluster eating habits made you feel. It’s easy to roll in the pessimism when you feel awful. So, changing your eating habits can have a dramatic influence on how you think.
5. Smile
Smiling sounds like a simple solution, but you will be amazed at how much it helps you. It’s hard to feel sad when you have a smile on your face. Try it and see how it changes your life.
Rather than walking through your job looking at the floor, you should hold your head up high and smile. Others around you will notice, and you will feel better. It’s hard to be involved in pessimism when your optimism takes over.
6. Give Back
You know that you need to count your blessings, but you also need to give back. Helping those that are less fortunate will help you to put your complaints into perspective. It’s hard to think that your life is terrible when you see people living on the streets begging for meals.
Doing something beautiful for people who aren’t expecting it and truly need it will change your life. It truly is better to give to others than to receive something for yourself.
7. Utilize Aromatherapy
Nature is one of the best cures for what ails you. Part of changing your mindset can be improving your atmosphere. If you are drowning in pessimism, try having some lavender or lemon balm wafting about.
You will be surprised how these essential oils can improve your mood and put a bounce in your step. There are tons for you to explore and see which ones work best for your needs.
8. Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle
One of the reasons people feel so burdened and negative is that they take on more than they can handle. Learn to say no to people when they ask you to do things.
You are under no obligation to jam your schedule with things that you can’t possibly do. There is power in learning to use the word “no.”
9. Practice Positivity
It’s going to take you some time to change your mindset. If you’ve always been a fan of pessimism, then getting your mind retrained to see things differently is challenging. Stop yourself when you start spewing negativity and refocus yourself to look on the sunny side of things.
10. Use Positive Affirmations
One way to stop the pessimism is to use positive affirmations. Try saying a few things like this in the mornings:
- I am going to have a great day.
- I am worthy of love.
- I’m thankful for my blessings.
- I will make something amazing out of my life.
- I refuse to let stress dictate my attitude.
When you start programming yourself for greatness every day, then you will have a whole new outlook.
11. Use Good Posture
Your mind and body are linked, and they both impact each other significantly. If you can’t seem to be optimistic, then use your body to get your brain where it needs to go. For starters, keep your head held high, stand up straight, and keep your shoulders back.
It’s fascinating to think that your posture can be positive, but studies show that you can control your energy and the way you feel from your positive stance.
12. Journal Writing
Journaling is a tactic encouraged by psychologists to help you put your thoughts in writing. The key is it releases things and puts it out into the atmosphere. Once it’s exposed, it can’t eat you up inside.
Try using your journal to get rid of your negativity. Be sure to make it a journal of gratitude too. Take time to write all the things you are thankful for that day and the ones you will conquer tomorrow.
13. Take Time for You
Life is chaotic, and many people don’t devote enough time to their needs. One of the best things you can do to keep your mindset right is to have alone time. You can take a bubble bath or hang with the guys. Just make sure that you have time in your schedule to do the things you love.
14. Use Humor Everyday
Did you know that most comedians use their humor as a coping skill for their past? Look at some greats like Robin Williams, Roseanne Barr, Ellen DeGeneres, and Richard Pryor. These people all used the stage to tackle their demons.
While you don’t need to get rid of negativity on a stage, you will be surprised how much better you feel when you laugh. There’s even medical evidence to prove that laughter is one of the best medicines around.
15. Get a Pet
It’s hard to stay mad or cynical when you have a pet bringing so much joy into your life. If you have a pet, try spending some quality time with them. Did you know that the National Institute of Health found that having a pet can lower your stress and make you a happier person?
Final Thoughts on Beating Pessimism and Becoming a Happier You
If you want to beat pessimism once and for all, you need to incorporate a few of these things into life. There’s no reason to have an attitude of doom and gloom when you can put on a smile and enjoy the life you’ve been given.
Community
