Sounds simple enough, just be grateful and happy, they say.

But some of us, like myself, get into a funk. We find ourselves so deep in the pit of despair that we are unable to crawl our way out. We find it so hard to be positive.

It is in moments like this, that we need to step back, take a deep breath, and face the fact that no one can get us out of this hole. Except for ourselves.

A little background, my name literally means, happiness.

Most of the time, I am genuinely happy. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the happiest, I am usually at a 12. But when I am down, I am at the lowest end of the scale. Knowing that my emotional scale is so wide, I have found a few ways that have helped me stay positive.

What is positivity?

Most anyone can look up the textbook definition of positivity or the act of being positive. But I have found that it is simply a mindset. It is feeling happy and being in a worry-free state of mind. Your outlook on life will be filled with all kinds of pleasant emotions such as joy, inspiration, love, the list goes on and on. It is having a smile on your face, just because you feel fantastic.

5 Ways To Stay Positive aka My Morning Routine

Over the years, I have worked on getting up early. At first, it was simply to get things done before the kids went off to school. As they got older, I started using that time to focus on me.

I wake up 5:30 am every morning, and yes, even on the weekend. It can be done.

Having a morning routine sets you up for a productive day. It boosts your mood and gives you a sense of satisfaction every time you check off a task. There is so much motivation to get more things done, than completed tasks.

If you need some help putting together a morning routine, a book I found to be helpful is The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. I have gifted this book more times than I can remember. Such a great read.

These are my morning tasks, in order.

#1: Exercise

I am usually half awake when I stumble to the bathroom to wash my face and put on my workout gear. I remind myself, just do 15 minutes. Once I hit that 15-minute mark, I am motivated to continue. Any sort of movement is helpful such as yoga or even just stretching. Your goal is to wake up your muscles and get your heart pumping. I have felt the rush of endorphins as I complete my morning exercise and the rush of excitement as I hit the shower. I usually sprint to the shower whispering “Yay, I did” with my hands in the air.

#2: Nourish

I always start my day with a warm cup of herbal tea. There is just something calming and soothing about making a cup of tea. The act of picking a flavor and then waiting for it to steep. Just all things wonderful. I take a few minutes to feel the warmth of the cup in my palms. I smell the aroma of the blend of the day. These simple moments are needed for clarity and peace of mind.

#3: Nature

I am lucky enough to have a garden in my backyard. I am a newbie gardener and I take such great pride in checking out the growth of my plants. Taking those 5 minutes to walk in my backyard, has been such a great addition to my morning routine. I love to see all of the different types of flowers in bloom and even more, to smell my roses. If you do not have a garden, take a walk outside for a few minutes. Get some sun on your face. Or, take off your shoes, and feel the grass under your feet. Filling our lungs with fresh air is one of the best things we can do for our bodies.

#4: Gratitude or Prayer

My practice is a combination of prayer and gratitude. I am a Hindu and as I have gotten older, I find this practice or tradition of morning prayers so important for my mind and well being. I feel that it resets my whole self. I complete with saying aloud a few things I am grateful for that morning. I am very specific. It can be something as simple as I am grateful for my husband making me a cup of tea. I have even gone more in-depth by being grateful for the outcome of a situation that ended up being positive. The practice of gratitude is a way of putting positive thoughts in our minds and it helps remind me of all of the good things in my life.

#5: Spread Positivity

This one is a little trick that I do. I text or message a few friends or family members telling them to have a great day. I sometimes expand my message to include things like ‘make it a productive one” or ‘crush today”. I find that spreading messages of positivity puts me in an even better mood. I have been taught that it is better to give than to receive. So, if you are someone who gets my random positivity messages early in the morning, now you know why. Nine times out of ten, I receive a note back saying, I really needed to hear this today. Putting a smile on someone’s face is all the motivation I need to stay positive throughout my day.

This not an extensive list of by any means, just a few of the ways that have helped me over time.

Power of Positive Thinking

When I complete my morning routine, I know that I feel a surge of energy. There are so many benefits to positive thinking. I know that I feel healthier because I am exercising and nourishing my body. I even find myself looking in the mirror thinking wow, you look radiant today. When you are positive, it reflects on the way you talk to others. Your attitude shows in the work you do. Your motivation increases, because you checked off all of those morning tasks. You will feel less stressed because there is no room for negative energy.

Most of all, this positivity stays with you throughout the day.

You don’t have to start all of these tips at once. Just commit to one small change. Once it becomes a routine, add another. You will see the benefits in no time. I am cheering you on!