How to Stay Positive When Everyone Around You Is In a Negative Mood
Negative people can sap your enthusiasm and drag you down to their level. Here are some tips for maintaining a positive attitude around someone in a negative mood.
Don't take things personally. It can be easy to feel hurt when a friend, co-worker or loved one treats you in a negative way. Many times, however, these actions are simply the result of personal stress or difficulties in their own lives. When people have unhealthy coping strategies, they often lash out at others. Most of the time, these behaviors manifest out of fear, anger and insecurities. Try to remember that their negative attitudes are about them, and not you.
Have gratitude. Studies have shown that people tend to be more optimistic and feel better about their lives when they practice gratitude . One of the best ways to do this is by keeping a daily gratitude journal, in which you write down five things that you are grateful for each day. This tends to make us focus on positive things throughout the day, so we will have things to write about at night. Don't worry if you find yourself repeating many of the same items each day. This simply means that these things are especially important to you.
Step back . Many times, a person's negative mood can become toxic, causing you to feel anxious, angry or stressed. When this occurs, it's best to remove yourself from the situation until the person's mood has improved. If it is a friend or loved one, you may be able to speak honestly about your feelings. If it is a coworker, however, it's generally best to avoid confrontational discussions. Instead, simply find an excuse that will allow you to go elsewhere or focus on an activity.
Spend some time alone. Some quality alone time can work wonders on our psyches by allowing us to shift our thinking and return to a more positive mental state. Set aside some time to journal, take a walk or pursue a hobby. Studies have also shown that meditation can help ease anxiety and improve well-being. Research has even found that regular meditation can actually promote positive structural changes in our brains. If you have difficulty meditating on your own, consider listening to a guided meditation recording. This can be especially helpful for people who haven't quite learned how to quiet their inner voices or focus on their breathing.
Maintain your power. When we allow a person's pessimistic outlook to make us feel cynical and sullen, we give them far too much power over our lives. Instead of letting other people dictate your emotions, remember that you are responsible for your outlook. Many times, you can diffuse negativity by counter-reacting with positivity. You can also choose to ignore the person's negativity as much as possible. When people realize their negativity is falling on deaf ears, they may change their tone or, at bare minimum, leave you alone.
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