New year, new you — right? With the start of January, everyone is rushing to determine their resolutions. As a mom, life’s already hectic, but straightforward self-improvement methods can make your goals feel more manageable. After such a long and trying year, maybe you’ve noticed your mood has shifted. That’s OK — acknowledging your thoughts and emotions is the first step.
Keep reading to discover six ways to boost your positivity this year.
1. Practice Grattude
What are you grateful for in life? So often, people take facets of their life for granted. It causes them to focus on what’s missing instead of what’s important. When you take time out of your schedule to think about what you appreciate in this world, your mindset instantly becomes more positive.
Practicing gratitude unshackles you from negative emotions and affects the way you view the world. To implement this behavior into your life, download an app, or start a journal. Every day record the things you are thankful for in your life. This habit will eventually become a part of your routine and make you a more positive person without you even noticing.
2. Reconnect With Friends
Parenthood has its challenges. While your kids are the center of your world, it’s essential to have a support network. Spend some time this year reconnecting with friends and family. Catching up will allow you to recenter your mind, and having adult conversations will offer a refreshing change of pace.
Ultimately, this network of friends will be a healthy release for stressors, allowing you to remain positive and cheerful at home. If you have a partner, it would also be worthwhile to spend time reconnecting as a family. After all, feelings of closeness help to build trust in relationships. Knowing you have people by your side will give you the confidence and strength you need to view the world in a positive light.
3. Go with the Flow
You can plan all day, but that does not guarantee things will turn out how you wanted. Instead of worrying about the little things, try going with the flow. There are some responsibilities you’ll need to stay on top of, but other things may require less attention than you predicted initially.
Try to remain calm and centered by letting go of negative forces. Spend time practicing meditation and mindfulness exercises at home. Recognize that constant stress has zero benefits. As challenging as it may seem, focusing on what’s essential in your life will allow you to shed other concerns. Your derailment of negative energy will make you a more positive person.
4. Help Others
One of the best things you can do this year is to spend some time helping others. Whether you choose to give back by volunteering or helping an elderly neighbor, offering your support will make you and the world a better place. When you assist others, you teach your children empathy and compassion. It also brings a deeper meaning to your life and can alleviate symptoms of depression.
Volunteering can lessen symptoms of chronic pain and promote healthy living. It can also increase a person’s self-confidence. When you feel better mentally and physically, it’s easier to be positive.
5. Make Time for Fun
How can you be positive when life is all work and no play? Take some time to relax and be close to your family. Have a movie marathon, build a pillow fort or cook together — do whatever brings joy and light to your life. When you spend time doing things that make you happy, you’ll naturally have a more positive mindset.
By spending time as a family, you remind yourself why you make sacrifices and work hard in life. It’s challenging to stay happy and motivated if you lose sight of your inspiration. Happiness is infectious, so enjoy the time you have with your kids and let go of needless distractions.
6. Build a Healthy Routine
Your daily choices directly influence your emotions and mental state. How much sleep did you get last night? Did you have breakfast today? When was the last time you exercised?
These questions highlight areas of your health that could be influencing your mindset. Regular physical activity boosts your endurance and attitude, making you a happier and more attentive parent. Likewise, sleeping seven to nine hours each night ensures you’ll wake up feeling well-rested and ready to conquer the day. Even something as simple as breakfast has a tremendous effect on your mood.
Putting it simply, if you fill your body with junk, you’ll feel like trash. Take a moment to think about ways to improve your health — you’ll feel better, which will increase your sense of positivity.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
Positive thinking improves mental health. It strengthens stress management skills and boosts energy levels. People who think positively experience fewer colds, lower rates of depression and have a longer life span. As a parent, your positivity will impact your family and brighten your outlook on life. Enjoy these long-lasting benefits by embracing these six methods to be a more positive person.