Adopting a Positive Outlook

By Erin Albert

The past few months have required us to be flexible and become more comfortable with uncertainty. This can be a challenging feat since we have a natural tendency to focus on negative events, a phenomenon that psychologists call the negativity bias.

Fortunately, there are things we can do to improve the way we think, respond, and feel. By practicing gratitude and focusing on things that bring us joy, we can gradually change our mindset and shift our mood to the positive. Just like the development of any skill, this takes practice with purpose.

I recently attended AISNE’s Health and Wellness Week, where we spoke about how children feel the feelings that we feel. When we feel anxious, children are more likely to feel anxious. When we feel calm, children are more likely to feel calmer and in control.

A positive outlook will help manage stress and foster resilience in kids. Here are a few tips to support a positive mindset:

Allow yourself to pause and breathe. We get uncomfortable to get stronger, so breathe through your discomfort and remind yourself that what you’re feeling right now is necessary for your growth.

Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Be kind and talk to yourself the same way someone who loves you would talk to you.

Remember, you need to take care of yourself, so you have more to give to others.

Do what you love. Find opportunities to notice and experience joy, both in the things you do as well as the people with whom you connect.

We can train ourselves to notice positive messages around us more readily. During an episode of Doc McStuffins, Doc explained, “The good thing about bad days is you can always make them better.”

This message rings true for everyone. What messages are you choosing to hear?

Erin Albert is DCD’s School Psychologist.