We all go through rough patches in our lives when we need to be reminded how to stay positive. Here’s a list of 27 ways to stay positive:

1. Surround yourself with positive people.

Delete the negative people out of your life. Negative people are not worth your energy and emotions.

2. Be optimistic.  

Think of the best outcomes that could come from any situation. Think positively. 

3. Listen to feel good music. 

Whenever you’re in a bad mood, listen to music that makes you want to smile or dance. Make a playlist of songs like that, and whenever you’re feeling out of it, just listen to it. 

4. Laugh! 

Laughing is probably the most importing thing you can do daily. Laugh until you cry or until you can’t breathe. While you’re laughing, your stress is lifted and you can start appreciating what’s around you. 

5. Learn to laugh at yourself.

When you mess up, its okay to laugh at yourself. 

6. Don’t put yourself in stressful situations. 

When you procrastinate, you put yourself in a stressful situation. Avoid that by getting your priorities in order, so you can get things done.

7. Be organized. 

When you’re organized your life feels cleaner and you’ll feel more empowered when you wake up in the morning. 

8. Stick to a routine.

Having a routine will help you be on time to places, which can reduce stress. 

9. Eat healthy.  

What you put into your body can really affect your mood and how you feel. Try to eat breakfast every day. Even just a banana or a granola bar can boost how you feel both physically and mentally. 

10. Read!

Reading can distract you from anything stressing you out at the time. For many, it is a soothing mental activity. Just sit back, relax, and curl up with a good book.  

11. Make a goals/to-do list.  

Set goals every week and try your best to accomplish them. You’ll feel successful by the end of the week if you complete them. 

12. Go outside. 

Being cooped up inside all day can make you tired and drained. 

13. Be creative. 

Try to make time to use the creative side of your brain. Create a picture, write a story, choreograph a dance.

14. Rant?

Whether it’s to your friend or into a journal, you may need to take the weight of stress and anger off your shoulders by ranting about it for a set amount of time, then letting it go.

15. Leave yourself notes. 

Leave yourself positive notes on the mirror, in your room, or anywhere else you look frequently to remind yourself daily how awesome you are! 

16. Avoid talking down to yourself.

When you talk down to yourself, you lose confidence. Never tell yourself you’re worth less than you really are. 

17. Avoid talking down to others. 

Making other people feel bad shouldn’t make you feel better. In fact, you yourself may feel bad.

18. Help others.

Helping other people will lighten your spirits. Show the people around you some TLC. 

19. Serve your community.

Helping other people will make you feel better about yourself and help you to appreciate what you have. 

20. Hang out with friends.

Spending time with people you love and care about will drive out negative energies. Make time for the people that are the most enthusiastic about you. Their love will strengthen.

21. Limit your social media. 

Sign out of your social media accounts every once in a while. Social media can make people angry, sad, or anxious. It can also distract you from getting your work done, which will lead to stress.

22. Take a nap. 

When you’ve had a long day at school or work, a short nap can relax you and clear your mind. 

23. Exercise your body, not just your mind.

Exercising releases stress build-up. If you work out in the morning before school or work, it can wake you up and give you energy for the day. Even if you can’t access a gym, you can find home workouts on YouTube. 

24. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Comparing yourself to others will lower your confidence. Love on you. 

25. Celebrate yourself!

Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments daily, both big and small. 

26. Relax and unwind.

Let yourself relax when you really need to. If you’re the stressful type you probably need to take a step back from what you’re doing and take a break. Take 10-15 minutes to meditate, listen to relaxing music, or read a book. 

27. SMILE! A smile is contagious.

Try to smile whenever possible. Smiling can boost your mood even when you aren’t feeling well. Small gestures like smiling at strangers can also help.