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Because I’m Happy

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Self-care and goal-setting are important to maintaining a healthy, happy life. When life gets busy and days are full of stress, make mental wellness a top priority.  Below are a few ways to stay positive.

Do something you love. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true! Take some time to do something you’re passionate about. Whether for a hobby or a job, lose yourself in an activity that fires you up and brings you joy. Hiking, volunteering or going to the dog park are all great sunny day activities.

Start a gratitude journal. We have all found ourselves caught up in what’s going wrong as opposed to what’s going right. Start or end each day with a list of things for which you are grateful. It will boost your mood and give perspective when something goes wrong!

Be solution-oriented. It is a fact of life that things aren’t always going to go as we planned. We have bad days, weeks or even years, and it’s easy to get down on yourself. Negative thinking is a trap that keeps you from moving forward. When things go wrong, think about tangible ways you can solve the problem or move forward positively – even if part of your solution is calling it a day and trying again tomorrow.

Practice tried and true coping skills. Stress, anxiety and fear are all common emotions when life gets busy. If you can learn not to panic over these feelings, but instead work to minimize or alleviate them, you can handle anything. Take a walk, write down your feelings, take a deep breath, call a friend, make a to-do list or cook your favorite meal. These activities (and many others) will give you a sense of power over how you’re feeling and will give you the energy to keep moving forward.

Talk to someone. When things are hard, talking to someone with an outside perspective can be incredibly helpful. There is no shame in visiting a campus or community counselor about what you have going on. It can be a healthy practice even when things are going well to share what’s on your mind. Remember that taking care of yourself is your number one priority.

Surround yourself with positivity. Energy is contagious, and your time is precious. Look for people and experiences that bring positive energy to your day. In the words of Pharrell Williams, you deserve to “feel like a room without a roof!”

When staying positive is a priority no matter the situation, you’re able to build your confidence, as well as the confidence of others. What tips do you use to stay happy? Tell us using the hashtag #KDCoffee.