“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
— Desmond Tutu
What is it that helps us push through the most trying of times? Is it a strong support group? The ability to be resilient? Self-confidence or high self-esteem? Often —whether or not we’re blessed with some or all these things — what we must have first is hope. Hope that we’ll get through the tough times. Hope that things will be better for us in the future. Hope that it’ll all work out.
Of course, for most of us, our lives — both at work and at home — are kind of like riding on a roller coaster. We’re up, then we’re down, then we’re up again. And just when we think we’ve reached a smooth stretch, the roller coaster dives down once again.
If your hope is in short supply as you go through disappointment or failure, believe me — all is not lost. Try these simple steps to get that hopefulness back in 15 minutes or less and see your life flourish once again.
Play your favorite tunes
Music has the power to impact your life in more ways than you might think. A mere 3 to 4 minutes of music can be fun to listen to, but the benefits of playing your favorite song extend well into your personal health as well. Not only can music help lift your spirits, it can make you feel hopeful for the future.
Look at things in a different light
As we’re inundated with our personal problems and today’s headlines, maintaining a positive attitude sounds like a fantasy. The fact is you can actually train your brain to lean towards optimism. According to cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot, how we perceive the world “changes objective reality.” In addition, she explains, “The way we expect the world to be changes the way we see it.”
Go outside
Lift your energy levels by connecting with nature. Understanding that nature reduces stress and boosts well-being is nothing new — psychologists have known this for years. Go for a nature walk and you’ll focus less on dark thoughts and more on your sense of belonging.
There’s no need to feel hopeless about feeling hopeful ever again. Just remember: Hope is always there for you, so long as you take the right steps to find it.
