Don’t catch the negativity bug

The saying “attitude is contagious” might be cliché, but I believe it. If you are around people with a positive outlook on life, you are more likely to have a positive personality and be a happier person.

The same goes with the other side. If you surround yourself with negativity and always focus on the bad, that attitude emits from you and surrounds others. I have been on both sides and having a positive attitude makes me a better person.

Sometimes a person cannot control their environment and the people around them, such as a workplace. However, if you are surrounded by negativity there are steps you can take to keep from being sucked into the negative attitude. First, excuse yourself from the presence of the negativity. If that is not an option, ignore it. Second, make sure you stay and think positively. If you have a coworker who is “down-in-the-dumps” offer a new idea for that person to think about (remember to keep it positive) or help them focus on the positive side of the negative issue at hand. Negativity is not something people like to surround themselves with.

When I was younger, I was depressed and negative about my life. My outlook on everything from school to family, friends to work was always negative, and I wanted to make sure everyone around me suffered also. Unfortunately, most people will begin avoiding a person like that and I lost friends. Negativity consumed a portion of my childhood I will never get back. Luckily, I now have a better attitude and try to look at the positives in life. There will however, be at least one person in your life who is a ‘Debbie-downer’ and would like nothing better than to bring you down with negativity.

This year I have noticed more negativity than usual. It seems that more people are catching this negativity bug and I ask that if you do catch it, please take precautionary measures and treat it. Read an uplifting book, listen to music that will NOT bring you down, talk with friends/family about the situation and flip your attitude, or simply sleep it off (if you are so lucky as to have that luxury). Whatever happens, get rid of that negative bug. I cannot think of one person who willingly wants to be unhappy, even Scrooge and the Grinch changed their attitude.

Do not let your negativity effect other people’s day and their outlook on life. If you have an issue and are becoming grumpy, take one of my ideas to treat it and stay away from people until you have a better attitude. It’s understandable to have a bad day. Everyone has a bad day, but to constantly be negative and stuck is unhealthy.

I wish everyone a beautiful day and to remember, if you are feeling down then listen to music, read a book, talk to someone, go for a walk, workout, or even take a nap. Treat that negativity bug because that is an attitude that no one wants to catch.