It isn’t uncommon to have feelings of stress and sadness. These feelings could happen at random or over long periods of time. Instead of letting negative thoughts control you, try to incorporate these eight ways to manage your stress and bring positivity to your daily routine.

Music

One of the greatest forms of artistry involves turning emotions into a musical rhythm. Many people use music as an escape from drama and real world issues that can seem very overwhelming at times. Luckily, there are hundreds of different genres, songs and artists that can occupy you for hours on end and form a great topic to talk about with friends the following day. Music is also used professionally by therapists and in this day and age, there are all sorts of music genres that can accompany any feelings you may be having. Picking up a guitar, writing some lyrics or just putting on some headphones is a great way to make a bad day more calming and positive.

Keeping a Journal

Documenting your life with a personal journal could be a very beneficial way to learn and grow from past experiences or anything that has been on your mind. Writing things down in your journal can help remind you of things you once loved or still do. It isn’t uncommon for someone to get thoughts of an uneventful or lonely day. Writing down all the positive things that happen daily could combat these thoughts in the future. It may seem hard to commit to journaling but writing down what’s challenging you is a great starting point to your journal. Next time you are panicking or in distress write it down, look back on it and realize what a great spot you are in today.

Writing and Poetry

Whenever you’re going through another challenging time or find yourself hopeless, there is always the option of expressing those feelings poetically. Writing poems is a beautiful way to show more of your artistic side while having fun doing it. Poetry is a creative and positive way to show others a more transparent version of yourself, which can also be used in public poetry slams or competitions. The versatility of poems is immeasurable, fitting almost any situation. Over time, you can build great new traits about yourself like being more flamboyant during conversations and more optimistic when trying new things. Poetry is definitely a hobby most people should pick up or at least try out.

Daily Affirmations

Someone who constantly worries about the negative things in life and clouds their head with unrealistic expectations should try daily affirmations. Making sure you always know why you woke up and got out of bed is a great start to your morning. Humans need a reason to do most activities in life and straying away from that routine is detrimental to one’s self-esteem. Affirmations act as a reminder and acknowledgment of what you want to be or what you already are. Stop being so harsh on yourself and start appreciating everything you do by waking up and telling yourself “I will try my very best” and “Today is going to be great.” 

Find New Hobbies

Exploring any new interests you may have or activities that you’ve wanted to pursue is a great way to become a more positive person. Sometimes when you’re feeling sad, it’s because you want a change in your daily routine. Straying away from your routine by easing yourself into a new environment or activity is beneficial in the long run. Everyone should be prepared for uncharted lifestyles and switches within their day-to-day life. If you don’t feel like you fit in, making an effort to try new things might be right for you.

Talk to Others

While some people think the best way of dealing with their problems is bottling them up, there are always people around you willing to help. Putting your trust in a person might be hard to do at first but once you’ve grown a strong enough bond, share what’s on your mind. You might learn something, solve a problem or even become closer friends. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings with anyone around you, there are free virtual therapists and hotlines, where you have the option to talk anonymously about whatever it is that may be affecting you negatively. The truth is, keeping someone close to socialize with is beneficial for you mentally and emotionally.

Better Sleep Schedule 

It goes without saying that you need to be getting the recommended amount of sleep, which is 8-10 hours for teens and at least seven for adults. If you are not getting the sleep you need, it can affect you negatively when applying yourself to conversations, school, work, etc. The effects of insomnia or lack of sleep may make it harder to concentrate and control your emotions when put under any amount of pressure. If you have trouble falling asleep then make sure to tell a doctor about your complications. Giving your body enough time to recharge will put you in a better mood, make you more focused and give you enough energy to accomplish whatever your day brings on.

Eating Healthier and Exercising 

As cliche as “eat healthier and exercise” sounds, it’s completely true if you are looking to improve your attitude and the overall quality of your day. When you are eating fast food on a daily basis, you can experience harsh mood swings and lack of energy throughout your day and the same goes for not exercising enough. Making changes to your eating habits and/or exercising could be as easy as eating three meals a day or going for a 60-minute walk every other day. Your physical health could be possibly weighing you down and negatively impacting your mental state. Your doctor or primary care provider can inform you about more ways to develop better health options and alternatives.