The COVID-19 virus has taken over our world. It has drastically changed the way we live, with the closure of schools and jobs, and  the cancellations of social events. It has left many feeling hopeless of what the future may bring. In the midst of a crisis, it’s easy to become stressed and worried. It can place us down a path of consuming negativity, whether it be in our thoughts or what content we see on television. In all honesty, the best way to get through this harsh time is to try and remain positive.

Moving into a positive direction starts with you. The best thing to do is be thankful and remember all that you have. You can start by keeping a gratitude journal. Every day write down something you’re thankful for like a person or event. Doing this helps us focus on positive parts of life and why we should enjoy them. Another way to extend your gratitude is to call and check in on your loved ones. Make sure that they’re doing well and leave them an encouraging message. With all the social distancing, it may be hard to see your friends and family. However, you can also give them a FaceTime call to make your conversations more personal.

Don’t forget to keep yourself busy. Being busy is a great way to stay productive and distract ourselves from our more urgent problems. The best way to stay busy is to immerse yourself in various activities. Painting, exercising, playing games are just a few activities to try, so you can relax. Another way to stay busy is to take up a new hobby. For example, cooking is a great way to start. You can start with a cookbook or getting on Youtube to find new recipes.

Lastly, try your best to refrain from negativity. The truth is there will always be a negative circumstance in every situation. However, it’s about how you respond to it. Get into the habit of asking yourself, “What else can I do?” This helps to redirect your thoughts to something more positive. The great thing about positivity is it’s a contagious emotion. Therefore, surround yourself with other positive people. This can alter your entire circumstance and change everything for the better. It can make us more happy. Keeping peaceful people around us makes  it harder to fall into the trap of negativity.

With all the growing uncertainty that is happening in our world every day, just remember to spread positivity. You can spread positivity in any way as long as it’s done with the right intent. Positivity is an underestimated blessing that can improve anything for the greater good. So it’s best we all stick together and encourage each other through the tough times.