W
ant to bring more joy into your home this year?
by Christa Melnyk Hines
Try shifting your mindset. Not only can adopting a more
optimistic attitude create a happier life, but it can also influence how well your kids respond to
life’s daily challenges. “Children watch their parents. They pick up on moods and beliefs. A positive attitude is
contagious––as is a negative attitude,” says psychologist Dr. Kristen Hensley.
Positively rewarding.
A positive outlook boosts productivity, energy and motivation; helps reduce stress; enhances confidence and
self-esteem; benefits health and even improves relationships with others.
“A positive attitude can also help us be more flexible in our thinking and makes seeing solutions to
problems easier,” Hensley says. “Looking for silver linings in life can help build mental resilience and
general optimism.”
Practice self-awareness.
Try tracking your moods to get a better sense of
what you’ll need to do to better care for yourself
each day.
Jessica Mostaffa, early childhood mental health
specialist and therapist who works with mothers
suffering from depression, says this tactic
helps her clients take a more mindful
approach to their day-to-day
emotional well-being.
Make a happiness list.
Brainstorm a list of activities
that help you feel better when
you’re feeling depleted. Your list
might include taking a warm shower,
watching a comedy, gardening or
taking a walk with a friend.
“When moms start working on
increasing time for themselves, it not only
decreases depressive symptoms, but also
leads to reports of better, more positive
relationships and interactions with
children, partners and others in the
home,” Mostaffa says.
Invite your kids to make lists too.
When they’re angry or upset, they can
turn to their list to help them
manage their emotions in
a healthy way. For
example, shoot hoops,
listen to music, draw,
read or call a trusted friend.
Reframe negative thoughts.
Rather than trying to ignore them, work with
cynical thoughts that creep into your head.
Mostaffa suggests asking yourself grounding
questions like: “What’s the evidence that thought is
true?” “What’s the evidence that thought is not
true?” “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“What’s the best thing that could happen?“And
what’s the most likely thing to happen?”
Watch how you say it.
Notice how you describe your
obligations to yourself or others. For
instance, instead of saying: “It’s my
responsibility to make sure the
kids have their homework done,”
you might say: “It’s my privilege
to make sure that my children
are doing what’s best for them.”
“It’s those subtle shifts that have
profound effects on our lives,” says Carla
McClellan, an ACC-certified life coach.
Voice your gratitude.
Foster positive thinking at
mealtime by inviting your
family to share three
things they feel grateful
for and why. Bedtime is a
good time to reflect on
the day too.
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