There are many things that we cannot control in life. We have no control over the things that others say or do. We cannot predict the future. And we even sometimes find ourselves in situations that we didn’t expect and cannot control. Death, natural disasters, accidents, illness, and other serious situations will arise, and we have to learn how to navigate them.

Life comes with its ups and downs. It’s a requirement for being alive. It’s important to understand that while there is much that we cannot control, there are things that we can control – like how we frame these events in our minds.

It’s easy to forget that your mindset has a powerful impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Wallowing in negativity will make us feel helpless. It also blinds us to possible solutions or paths forward after something devastating happens.

Whether you are facing a bad situation or simply want to find a way to live happier moving forward, now is a good time to learn how to get positive outcomes out of negative situations.

Pull Away from a Negative State of Mind

It is easy to fall into a spiral of bad thoughts. Allowing yourself to get sucked further down into negativity will only breed more negativity in your life. Even if you are dealing with one difficult situation, that negativity can begin to seep into other aspects of your life if you let it.

Instead, pull yourself away from a negative state of mind. Refocus on the good things. Think about things that went right. Think about the people who stepped up and helped. Think about things in life that make you happy and bring you joy.

Do not let a negative state of mind consume you. It can take a lot of work but pushing yourself to look at the positive things will make a difference. 

Give Yourself Permission to Experience Emotions

Some people try to avoid feeling negative emotions. It makes us feel embarrassed, ashamed, or vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with emotions. They help us learn and grow as human beings.

Pretending like they are not there will only cause more problems. It’s best to allow yourself to experience emotions and explore why you feel the way you do. Letting emotions run their course will help you keep your mind clear, so you have greater control over your outlook and reaction to a negative situation.

Trying to box up emotions will only lead to more negativity. It will drag out the recovery process. Facing these feelings head-on and trying to understand them gives us the best chance at finding a way to get out of the negative situation faster.

Get Enough Sleep and Leave Time for Relaxation

It’s easy to slip into bad habits when coping with a negative situation. Some people find it hard to sleep or sleep too much. Make sure you are getting adequate rest every night. Sleep deprivation is unhealthy and will make it significantly harder to think clearly and stay in control of ourselves.

Too much sleep can be a sign of depression. If you experience this or other symptoms of depression, you should speak to a medical professional. 

It is also beneficial to make time for relaxation and activities you enjoy. Staying on top of your wellbeing will help you cope better in negative situations. 

Eat a Diet That’s Good for Your Body and Mind

Along with enough rest, you should also make sure your mind and body have the calories and nutrition needed for optimum performance. Our diets have a direct impact on how we feel and function. If you are already under a lot of stress, neglecting your dietary needs will do you no favors.

Healthy fresh foods are a good way to start. Also, remember to watch your water intake and minimize the amount of caffeine and sugary beverages and foods you eat. Excessive sugar is harmful to the brain and can cause memory deficiencies. Too much caffeine can cause migraines, headaches, and increased blood pressure.

Actively Seek Out Positivity and Positive People

Surrounding yourself with positivity is a good way to stay positive yourself. Try to be positive when interacting with those around you. Celebrate another person’s success or give a compliment. Share uplifting stories or listen to others as they share theirs.

You can also do things to boost positivity, like watching a funny movie, reading positive quotes, or starting a new project. Try volunteering or doing something to give back to others. Few things feel as good as giving back – and those feelings will nurture more positivity.

Each of these activities on its own may seem small or insignificant, but they add up. And while you are surrounding yourself with good things, you are also sending more positivity out into the world to help others.

Focus on Solutions Instead of the Problem

It may not be obvious yet, but there is a solution to your problem. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but something is there. It may be reframing how you look at an event or argument. It could be something you could do to help change an outcome. Or it could be as simple as learning to walk away from toxic people, even if it hurts.

No matter what it is, avoid focusing solely on the problem itself. Instead, start looking for solutions. Only seeing the problem will make it continue to grow in your mind. It will begin to consume your wellbeing – and eventually your health. Dwelling on it will lead to frustration, sadness, and pessimism.

Finding solutions is the quickest way to get out of the situation and get relief from negativity. If you stay positive, you will eventually find a path out.

Take Responsibility for Your Part in the Situation

Feeling like we have no control can also make us forget our part in the situation. It’s impossible to move on until you take ownership of how you contributed. 

Maybe you had a direct impact by doing or saying something. Or you may have not had any direct impact, which means you are not responsible for what happened, but you are responsible for your feelings and reactions.

Once you take responsibility for your part, you regain more of your control. It can empower you and help you figure out what to do next.

Find Positivity and Take Control in Negative Situations

Positivity is out there. If you don’t see it, you can make it yourself. Sometimes, just reframing the way you see a person or an event can change how you perceive it.

Keep yourself healthy with exercise, good food, and adequate rest so that you are prepared to handle anything that you encounter in life. And remember that while you cannot control everything, you can control how you react to it – and there is a lot of power in that.

If you have questions about women’s health and wellness, let us know. Visit Complete Women’s Healthcare now to schedule a consultation.