October is Emotional Wellness Month. When working with our friends outdoors negativity is a big hurdle. Why, because sometimes life can be challenging and they may feel like there is no way out. Maybe you are reading this and feel the same way as our friends outdoors. I’m believing this post will help you achieve a positive mindset. Use these five tips to confidently say goodbye to negativity all month long.

Scripture says “Life is But a Vapor” James 4:14. Life is too short to let negative self-talk creep its way into our lives. We know many of our friends outdoors and you our Sous Chefs are working hard towards individual health goals and we want to encourage you in keeping a positive mindset. Use the tips below to say no to negative self-talk.

1. Unfollow

Yes, we said it. Whether you agree with it or not, social media is ever-present in most of our lives. Chances are you may need to evaluate your feed to make sure the people you follow are influencing or growing you in a positive direction.  Make room for content that leaves you feeling uplifted, spreads good news, makes you smile or laugh, and aligns with your health objectives.

2. Reconnect with Friends

The pandemic has shifted our routines and may have indirectly caused you to isolate yourself from some positive influences in your life.  Take the time to reconnect with those old friends, coworkers, coaches, mentors, or neighbors.  Genuine conversation and human connection can bring happiness to both parties.

3. Get Professional Support

If you find yourself going negative quickly or more often than you’d prefer, it might be time to get some additional support on your side as this could be a sign of anxiety or depression.  Finding a licensed specialist might be a helpful solution.  These trained professionals can help you see things from a different perspective and help you rediscover that optimistic viewpoint.

4. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is an important piece of a healthy lifestyle.  Discover a new hobby to relieve stress. Start a new weekly tradition like a Sunday coffee run.  Restart your exercise routine or create a new one. Make time for a consistent bedtime routine to support healthy sleep.  Take some time to see where you may need to pour some love or attention into your daily life to implement some self-care.

5. Use Words Intentionally

Try replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Practice daily affirmations out loud.  When your inner critic says “I’ll never run five miles on the treadmill,” replace that thought with “I’m on my way to running five miles because my hard work is paying off.”  Become your biggest cheerleader by spreading positive thoughts in your life.

The Bottom Line

If you surround yourself with positive messages, activities, support, and people, then you may be more likely to avoid negative self-talk.  Keeping things positive can have a big impact on your mood and overall outlook.  In case you need a reminder, you can do anything you set your mind to.