A positive attitude is hard to master. There are plenty of things that may get you down, and negativity is all too common. It can have a serious toll on relationships, self-love, and emotional and mental health. So, when this does start to happen, these are a few ways I have found that have helped me to combat the negativity and become a happier, healthier me!

1. Listen to the music that matches the mood you want to be in.

You know those times when you’re already feeling down or sad, so you listen to sad music, but that just makes you sadder? Yeah, me too. Music has such an intense impact on our mood and emotions, so why not use that to your advantage? Instead of listening to music that matches the mood you’re already in, listen to music that can connect you to the mood you want to be in. I’ve found that creating a new playlist with lots of fun, upbeat songs can really change my sour mood into a happy one again!

2. Make your home a positive living space.

Who can honestly say that the messy room and grey colored everything is inspiring? Even adding a little bit of color or cleanliness to my home makes me feel like a whole new person, especially when I’m feeling negative. Coming home to a house (dorm, apartment, etc.) that welcomes you will have you feeling infinitely more positive and motivated.

3. Talk to someone.

If you feel like something, in particular, has got you down, it can be so helpful to sit down and talk to someone about it. Whether it be a friend, family member, pastor, teacher, what have you… it is so important to be able to vent about your problems, no matter how big or small! Even if they can’t give you the answers you need, allowing someone into your life and being vulnerable for that moment can be extremely healing.

4. Start your days off the right way.

Part of keeping a positive attitude throughout the day is making sure you start that day off in a good mood! If you dread getting out of bed in the morning, then rush to get ready for school or work, skip breakfast, and leave the house feeling only half-awake, you’re probably not preparing yourself for a day of positivity. Instead, allow yourself the ability to take your time in the morning. Grab some sort of breakfast, even if it’s a quick bagel and a coffee. Making sure you are in a good mood in the morning will help to drastically improve the rest of your day.

On that topic…

5. Get enough sleep at night.

I can’t tell you how important this is. If you are staying up until 2 am every night to try to finish that one last assignment, you’re not doing yourself any favors. It would benefit you so much more to go to bed at 11 and find other times to do the work. Find a wake-up time that works for you, and stick to it (this may mean getting up a few minutes earlier than you’re used to!).

Also, it helped me so much to learn a bit more about REM cycles. You can calculate what time you should go to bed based on when you need to wake up so that you won’t be tired in the morning!

6. Engage in a positive conversation with yourself.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have negative thoughts or self-criticism at some point. Even the most positive people in the world have been negative at certain times. Also known as “positive self-talk,” this form of thinking can seriously help with the criticism that you may feel. Yeah, having a full-blown conversation with yourself may seem weird at first, it definitely did for me. But even starting with one thing you love about yourself can completely change your perspective.

7. Set a goal and stick to it.

It has been shown that having something to work toward can make us happier. If you feel like you are stagnant, or that you are stuck in a rut, setting a goal can create a sense of flow and movement in your life again. Even if it’s a small goal, like finishing a book or beginning to clean out your room, getting started will wake your brain back up and get you motivated to do so much more!

8. Give someone a compliment.

Studies show that a lot of our happiness comes from making others happy. Next time you are grabbing coffee, or are at work or school, give a compliment to a stranger. Spreading those kinds of positive vibes are just as special as feeling positive yourself. It can really give you the power to feel happier and more positive.

9. Practice gratitude.

Deciding to keep a gratitude journal has been an integral part of learning how to keep myself positive. Every night, I try to write three things I am thankful for. This helps me to be mindful of the good in my life and reduce toxic emotions, like envy and resentment. Remind yourself of all the blessings you have in life – it works!

10. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.

It never helps to hang out with people who are negative or bring out your bad side. It took me a long time to realize that some of my friends were actually toxic in my life. As soon as I surrounded myself with strong friends who practiced love and gratitude, my perspective changed. I became more confident and less angry. The people you hang out with have a huge impact on your worldview!