How To Keep Your Spirits Bright

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, especially during a pandemic and social unrest across the country. But there are things we can do to help our brains and bodies feel a little calmer and more relaxed. It’s good to have a few different options in your spirits-brightening toolkit, depending on your mood.

We asked members of the Geaux Girl! Teen Advisory Council for advice on how they stay positive and hope that some of their ideas will also help you keep your spirits bright.

TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE

• “I meditate and complete a five to ten-minute yoga stretch. Relaxing and taking some time for myself really helps me to de-stress and gain perspective.” — Gabi, 16
• “I listen to music to stay positive.” — Chandler, 14
• “I like to make lists of things that I need to get done. Once I do them, I have something to check off the list, which makes me feel like I’m being productive.” — Ella, 14
• “Listening to music always makes me feel better when I’m sad. It helps me escape from my problems (and the world’s problems) and just vibe to the rhythm of the beat.” — Mylah, 17
• “I create a daily schedule to keep myself on track. I have a little section at the bottom for goals, to-dos, and things that make me happy. It just makes me feel like I have structure, especially with everything being online now.” — Anisha, 17
• “To keep my spirits high, I like to listen to Taylor Swift.” — Mae, 15
• “I go into my backyard and play with my dog. Animals (especially close pets) have a way of making me smile.” — Gabi, 16
• “Writing down my feelings or how my day went in a journal makes me feel better.” — Chandler, 14
• “Writing always helps me release whatever feelings are bubbling inside of me. It keeps me from going crazy and causing a scene. Writing down how you feel is a good way to express yourself and manage your emotions.” — Mylah, 17
• “I love to make playlists and/or listen to music that I love. I also like to find new music to listen to when I’m stressed, worried, or not feeling great.” — Ella, 14
•  “I like to blast some music from the 2008-2012 era and have a little dance party by myself!” — Anisha, 17
• “Bake cookies.” — Mae, 15
• “I watch my favorite episodes of the TV show Friends. Seeing someone else deal with the daily problems of life in a comedic way helps me remember to laugh more in my own life.” — Gabi, 16
• “Saying positive affirmations out loud. For example, ‘ I am beautiful,’ ‘I am amazing,’ and ‘I deserve the world’ are a few that I use to make myself feel better at times.” — Chandler, 14
• “I like to treat myself to a relaxing night. This can be making cookies and watching a movie or having a spa night.” — Ella, 14
• “Watch the movie Singing in the Rain!” — Mae, 15
• “Hanging out with my friends always makes me happy and helps me forget any trouble I may be going through. Hanging out with people who love me, care about me, and understand me always brightens up my spirits.” — Mylah, 17

Feeling inspired?

WRITE DOWN THREE THINGS THAT HELP YOU STAY POSITIVE!

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STARTING A GRATITUDE PRACTICE

Practicing gratitude can be a huge mood-booster that benefits both our bodies and our minds. Research has shown that expressing gratitude on a regular basis can help us feel more positive emotions, improve our health, and build stronger relationships. It actually helps train your brain to feel more positive emotions instead
of focusing on what you don’t have, or what you wish was different.

Writing down feelings of gratitude is a powerful way to reinforce and reflect upon the things that we are grateful for. Fill out the prompts below to start practicing gratitude in your own life!

Gratitude Prompts

MY ANSWERS

1. What is one thing that someone helped you with this week?
2.  What element of nature did you enjoy this week?
3.  What is different today compared to one year ago that you’re grateful for?
4.  What struggle that you’ve made it through are you thankful for (even if you’re not thankful for the struggle itself)?
5.  Who would you like to say “thank you” to?
   What would you thank them for?
   What is something you love doing for others?
6.  Who are you grateful to have in your life, and why?
7.  What are three good decisions you’ve made this year?
8.  What positive changes are you grateful for having made in your life?
9.  What is something beautiful you had the chance to witness lately?