6 simple daily habits for staying positive

In times of worry, stress or disagreement, it's easy to lose sight of all that is positive in our lives including health, family and friends. If you've lost appreciation for the everyday good in your life, here are six simple habits that will help you see the brighter side of things.

Although it sounds hokey, recognizing the many things you have to be thankful for is a sign of resilience. Don't leave anything out.

• If you're blessed because you moved into a house with the master bedroom on the first floor and you needn't climb stairs (which aggravates your arthritis), add it to the list.

Make copies of the list and put one in your bedroom, the kitchen and the glove compartment of your car.

• Whenever you're tempted to bemoan your fate, pull out the list and remind yourself how lucky you really are.

With age, we tend to move in tinier and tinier circles, becoming so entrenched in our routines that we don't even notice them any longer. Then, when something happens to change that routine, we lack the flexibility to cope with it.

• To prevent this from happening, try changing one thing about your routine every day.
• Small changes could include brushing your teeth with your left hand, taking a different route while riding your bike, driving another route on the way to work or sleeping in a different bedroom in your house.

You need a sense of accomplishment every day to strengthen your own belief in yourself, something tedious routine doesn't always provide.

• These goals could be small, such as calling the elderly woman down the street who lives alone every afternoon.
• Your goals could be loftier and designed to add up to a larger achievement, such as getting another degree or building a gazebo in the garden.

People often let situations control them instead of them controlling the situation. Many times, this occurs because they haven't bothered to get the information they need.

• When problems occur, ask questions. Lots of questions. This provides you with enough information to develop alternative responses, at least one of which will enable you to bounce back from the situation.
• Sometimes looking at challenging situations logically, without emotion, helps you to find a workable and practical solution – as long as you thoroughly gather the facts.

A good example of managing your expectations is when you travel by airplane these days: although air travel usually goes off without a hitch, if you have a rigid plan you'll only set yourself up for disappointment should something occur.

• Instead, anticipate long delays and lost luggage by taking extra reading material, packing playing cards in your carry-on luggage and not putting anything you can't live without in your checked bags. Then, when disaster doesn't strike, you're three steps ahead!

This kind of thinking-ahead approach works especially well for family reunions and during home renovations when almost anything can occur!

Worry does little to change circumstances over which you may hold no sway. All you can do is look for a solution or adapt. For instance:

• If you have diabetes and you're following a healthy diet, taking your medication and exercising regularly, but still have fluctuating blood sugar levels, recognize that you're doing all you can to control the situation and you may need to put the rest of the problem in your doctor's hands.
• If you're planning an important outdoor event, like a wedding, and the weather calls for rain, acknowledge that this event is about two happy people starting a new life together. Yes, sunshine would be nice, but a bit of rain won't dampen the soon-to-be newlywed's love for each other or the joy of the event.