Mastering a positive attitude can…

…sometimes seem insignificant, but that is far from the case. It is something that is immensely important and will serve you through your whole life. To master a positive attitude is to open every single door there is, to make the world your oyster.

For me especially, keeping a positive attitude has been a huge factor in both getting me to the place I am today, with high predictions for my GCSEs but also simply making the most of life and being happy. Perhaps I am guilty of reading one too many self-help books, but I do truly believe that it is almost always ‘mind over matter’. I have struggled in the past with various unhealthy habits and bouts of prolonged sadness, as a result of spirals that I constructed in my mind- the world is a scary place and it can be so easy to fall into a pit so deep you can’t even see the sunlight anymore. But now I know that so many of these things really were all in my mind: I wasn’t too fat, I wasn’t too hopeless and I did have so many people that loved me and cared about me. I hope that anyone reading this who feels any of those things will one day, just like myself, realise how amazing they are.

How did a positive attitude help me overcome all these things? Well when you have a positive attitude, everything can be possible because it’s not about what you are right now, it’s understanding that anything you do today can take you one step closer to having the things you want. A positive mental attitude makes you search for all the good things in life and find all the good things in life!

However, as with most things “mastering” a positive mental attitude is easier said than done, and that’s okay! The best things in life need to have work put into them. But to make things easier, I’ll offer some advice to help you along the way.

First, just try to smile, laugh and let things go a little easier. It really is a case of fake it until you make it, and by simply telling yourself that everything is going to be okay when it feels like it really isn’t going to can make a world of difference. And in the case of smiling and laughing? Some research even shows that smiling actually makes people happier as it is a relaxed position and provokes ‘memory’ of being happy and calm which your body emulates and well, laughter is the best medicine!

Second, it is so important to stop using words like ‘impossible’ or ‘never’ and replace them with words like ‘yet’ and ‘eventually’! I know I’m sounding like a year 7 assembly right now, but it truly does make a world of difference. Most things that you attempt, really aren’t impossible at all and it just takes a bit of time, persistence and hard work to master it. It might seem like you’re going nowhere, and that might be the case, but if you’re going to put something down and take a break, do it with the intention to come back and work even harder.

Third, remember that most things are completely out of your control, but also that 99.9999% of the time they work out great, even if it’s not what you originally imagined. If something goes wrong, try not to be afraid, or give up. Take a deep breath, keep on going and it will all work out eventually.

Finally, the most important thing is simply persistence! Don’t. Give. Up. At. Anything! So many people give up at the first hurdle in everything they do and no wonder they see things in a negative light. To learn to let your ego be bashed all the way down to the ground but still get back up again is a really hard thing to do, but after your first triumph where you had to work so hard against all odds, you will be so proud and positive that it will all be worth it.

I hope my advice has helped people become more positive- there is nothing more wonderful in the world than simply living life to the happiest and fullest you can. It’s really hard, so much of the time, but I believe in you all!

Smile a little more today & stay safe!

Ella, 15, Yorkshire

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During these trying and troubling times…

…it is especially important to take care of your mental health, as evidence has shown that Covid-19 has affected mental health, especially young people aged 13-24, the elderly, those who are shielding and people with pre-existing mental health problems. Especially now that school has resumed after a whopping 6 months, many of us may feel overwhelmed and this is completely normal, but it is important to take care of our mental health as well as our physical health. In this blogpost, I will be sharing some tips on how to master positive mental health and become the best version of yourself! 😊

  1. Talk about your feeling to others- Whether it be friends, family or a teacher its always important to express your feelings and even if you feel uncomfortable talking to people face to face you can use one of the many online free Mental Health help lines such as SHOUT where you text them, for free, at 85258 and they will reply almost immediately.
  2. Keep active- Exercise releases endorphins (happy hormones) and it can also increase self-esteem levels. Why not take a walk around your local area or follow a YouTube video such as Joe Wicks or Chloe Ting for example?
  3. Eat well- Although it may be easy to reach for that bag of crisps or a chocolate bar, try and eat more fruits and veggies and drink water to stay hydrated. A diet good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
  4. Connect with other people- Arrange a day out with friends/family, if possible, try and eat dinner with friends/family, videocall friends/family if you live far apart. Try and connect with the real world and take a break from social media, which can affect mental health negatively.
  5. Practice mindfulness- whether that be prayer, yoga etc it’s important to take time to reflect and identify how you are feeling. Mindfulness can help you to be more aware of the present moment and appreciate things that we take for granted.

More tips/websites to read:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-mental-health
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/

Remember! If you are ever feeling like you need help urgently contact Childline on 0800 1111

You got this! Heres to mastering Positive Mental health! 😉

Halimah, 16, Leicester

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