How do you stay positive in tough times?

Asked by: Prof. Will Mante II  |  Last update: June 13, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (4 votes)

Staying positive in tough times involves building resilience through intentional habits like practicing daily gratitude, maintaining social connections, and focusing on controllable factors. Key strategies include reframing negative situations, engaging in self-care, setting small achievable goals, and limiting exposure to negative news.

How to stay positive during difficult times?

Following are some ways to think and behave in a more positive and optimistic way:

  1. Identify areas to change. ...
  2. Check yourself. ...
  3. Be open to humor. ...
  4. Follow a healthy lifestyle. ...
  5. Surround yourself with positive people. ...
  6. Practice positive self-talk.

How do you stay hopeful in hard times?

Try to find a quiet moment where you don't have to rush. Take small, slow sips, reminding yourself to notice and appreciate every mouthful. Savouring positive moments can help us to stay in the present moment longer. It can also help create strong memories we can return to when we need them.

How can I turn a negative into a positive?

7 Ways to Cultivate Positive Thinking

  1. Brain Retraining. ...
  2. Gratitude Journal. ...
  3. Practice Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations. ...
  4. Surround Yourself with Supportive and Positive People. ...
  5. Avoid Assuming Negative Outcomes. ...
  6. Engage in Creative Activities. ...
  7. Healthy Lifestyle.

What are the 4 stages of hope?

The "Four Stages of Hope," as defined by Cathleen Fanslow-Brunjes in her book Using the Power of Hope to Cope with Dying, are a framework for understanding hope in end-of-life situations: Hope for a cure, for treatment, for prolongation of life, and for a peaceful death, guiding individuals and caregivers through evolving needs as a life journey nears its end. Other models also exist, such as Shane Lopez's Hope Cycle (agency, pathways, nexting) or stages of spiritual growth, but Fanslow's is a specific "four stages" model. 

How To Stay Positive During Tough Times | Jordan Peterson

23 related questions found

What are some examples of positivity?

Examples of Positivity

  • “Even though I sometimes fail, I always try my best.”
  • “My parents weren't perfect, but they did the best they could.”
  • “I'm so lucky to have such great friends and family in my life."
  • “That game of tennis was so fun.”
  • “It's all going to be alright.”
  • “I'm looking forward to the holidays this year.”

What is the key to a positive attitude?

Practice gratitude.

Take time to acknowledge the good things in your life. Doing so will put you in a more positive frame of mind. A regular practice of saying or writing down three things you're grateful for each day will help train you to look for things that make you happy. The more specific you can be, the better!

What are the 10 negative attitudes of a person?

Top 10 Bad Attitudes

  • Self-centeredness.
  • Resisting change.
  • Resentment and jealousy.
  • Procrastination.
  • Avoiding difficult conversations.
  • Whining, complaining, gossiping (ie. BCD)
  • Victim mentality.
  • Impatience.

How to be 100% positive?

So, let's just take it slow and look at five quick and simple tips that you can put into action immediately:

  1. Use affirmations. ...
  2. Remind yourself to focus on the good things, no matter how small they are. ...
  3. Do something nice for someone. ...
  4. Focus on the present moment. ...
  5. Surround yourself with positive people.

How to stop being so negative?

How to stop being negative and be more positive

  1. Practice saying positive things. ...
  2. Acknowledge that positive thinking improves results. ...
  3. Live in the moment. ...
  4. Avoid negative people. ...
  5. Stay cordial with negative people. ...
  6. Stay near positive people. ...
  7. Practice nuanced thinking. ...
  8. Find new hobbies.

What are the 3 P's of positivity?

After spending decades studying how people deal with setbacks, Seligman found that there are three P's – personalization, pervasiveness, and permanence – that are critical to how we recover from hardship.

How to stay positive when overwhelmed?

7 Tips For Maintaining A Positive Mindset In Times Of Stress

  1. Practice Positive Self-Speech. To maintain a positive mindset, being kind to yourself is crucial. ...
  2. Take A Breather. ...
  3. Focus On The Good. ...
  4. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences. ...
  5. Develop A Morning Routine. ...
  6. Start A Journal. ...
  7. Say No.

How to be mentally strong during tough times?

  1. Practice self-care.
  2. Build meaningful connections. Strong, supportive relationships with others can greatly enhance your mental toughness, so surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you. ...
  3. Set clear goals and pursue them persistently.
  4. Develop a positive mindset. ...
  5. Learn from failures.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for stress?

The 3-3-3 rule for stress is a simple grounding technique to manage anxiety by shifting focus to the present: name 3 things you see, identify 3 sounds you hear, and move 3 parts of your body (like wiggling toes, rolling shoulders, or turning your head) to interrupt anxious thoughts and calm your mind. It's a quick, accessible tool to use anywhere for immediate relief, though it's best used alongside professional treatment for long-term anxiety management.
 

What are 10 positive attitudes?

Positive Attitude Examples

  • Congratulating others.
  • Admiring others without envy.
  • Being adventurous.
  • Showing affection.
  • Being approachable.
  • Acting with bravery.
  • Caring for others.
  • Working collaboratively.

What are 10 positive thoughts?

Inspiring words and motivational quotes

  • "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." — Walt Disney.
  • "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." — Eleanor Roosevelt.
  • "Dreams come true. ...
  • "Dream as if you'll live forever. ...
  • "Some men see things as they are and say why.

What are the 10 forms of positivity?

Fredrickson describes the 10 most positive emotions — joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love — as sharing the ability to broaden people's momentary thought action repertoires (widening the array of thoughts and actions that come to mind).

What are three qualities of hope?

4 Characteristics of Hope

  • Hope looks to the future.
  • Hope is built on faith.
  • Hope is connected to waiting.
  • Hope comes from God.