A different frame of mind

I think I’ve probably mentioned this before, but how we choose to respond to outside stimuli, pressures and events is entirely within our own undertaking.  We can choose to get wound up by things, or we can choose to let it go.

My first day back at work this week was horrid.  By the end of the day I was absolutely sure that the conversation when I got home was going to be around how much longer I would have to put up with this.  C was his usual stoic self and confirmed my worst fear that I would have to stick it out for a few more years yet.  Damn.  I felt exhausted after just 1 day back in the office.  I felt dejected.  I felt well and truly fed up.  This has a physical impact as well.  I was unmotivated to do anything else and I stuffed my face with crisps and chocolate. I felt physically sick at the prospect of having to go back the next day and deal with it all, all over again.

Fast forward a few days and I’m in a much better frame of mind.  The plans I put in place on Monday have had a positive result and things are looking ok for the coming week.  I’ve also made the conscious observation, out loud to others, about what I am currently employed to do versus what I get dragged back in to, through necessity, but that I shouldn’t really, and the impact that is having both on trying to deliver what it is I’m supposed to be doing, but also providing the right kind of support to those in the department.  A fuller conversation as to how that plays out is happening later this week.

My point being, my mind-set had changed.  I had chosen to not allow the frustrations at the beginning of the week to overshadow the rest of the week.  I packed that day away and moved on.  I’m not pretending it was an easy transition.  I still woke up on the Tuesday really not wanting to go to work.

According to the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950), whether you are a pessimist or an optimist can have an effect on your longer term mental health, but also has physical manifestations too.  Being more positive doesn’t mean that you gloss over the difficult things but that by approaching them in a more positive way can be more productive.  Making the best out of a bad situation.  Thinking positively can improve life span, reduce depression and distress, provide greater resistance to colds and better psychological and physical wellbeing, cardiovascular health and general better coping skills.

By focusing on positive thinking we can identify areas of life that may need changing, stopping to check on our thinking and finding ways to put a positive spin on it.  By being open to allowing yourself to have a laugh during difficult times can help you feel less stressed.  Following a healthy lifestyle is often cited, and probably the one I do least of.  Surrounding yourself with positivity will rub off on you and practicing positive self-talk will help you realise that you have a lot to be thankful for.

I’m heading to the end of this week with a much more positive outlook that I had at the beginning.