Mel Feller discusses how to maintain a positive outlook and overcome adversity in three steps: 1) Start each day with reflection by considering your successes, goals, and what makes you happy to stay positive. 2) Make small, positive changes daily like changing your routine or learning a new skill to stay engaged. 3) Learn to accept things outside your control and let go of anger over interruptions by meditating or taking a walk.

1. Mel FellerLooks at Why you Shouldbe Happy Over GivingintoAdversityby Mel Feller
How happyare you?Is ita stressorwhenyouare askedwhetheryouare happy?Onthe otherhand,do
youhave to work at happinessordoyou wake upin the morningina stellarmood?Whatif youcould
take a fewsimple stepstowardhappinessandstayawayfromnegativityoradversity?
The powerof positive thinkingisanincrediblepowerto
harness.Here are three stepsI,Mel Feller,tryto
undertake whenIneedtoflipmyswitchinmybrain to
“Happy”:
Start the day with reflection. Take the time toreflect
on the successesof the priorday and planforsuccess
on the day ahead.Take the time to answerthe
questions:Whoare you?What do youwant to do?
What makesyou happy?Answeringthese questionswill steeryoutowardpositivityandhelpyouto
reflectonyouownexistence anditsplace inthe world.Whenyou’re feelingstressedduringthe day
stepawayfor a fewminutesof positivereflection –it will helpyougetbackontrack.
Endeavor to make one small change a day, everyday. Keepingyourbrainactive andengagediscrucial
for happinessandsuccess.Breakoutof a rut. It couldbe as simple asshakingupyourmorningroutine
to completingacrosswordpuzzle tolearninganew task.
Go withthe flow.I struggle almostdailywiththisone.Youneedtoletgo of anger at interruptionsand
adapt to the changes.Write downthose thingsthatare stoppingyour“flow.”Determine fromthe items
that youhave writtendown,whatiswithinyourcontrol,andwhatis outside of the realmof your
control?Knowingwhichare whichwill helpyoumore easilyletgoof those thingsoverwhichyouhave
no control.Take time fordeep,meditative breathsoraquick,relaxingwalk.
“What doesn’tkill usmakesusstronger”:an impressive statement,buthow true isit? Well,accordingto
researchers,emotional adversitiessuchassadnesscan ultimatelyhave keypsychological benefits,such
as increasedmotivation,bettercommunication andjudgementsthatare more accurate.
Therefore,perhapsthisstatementistrue;acertainamountof adversityinourlivescanonlymake us
happierandmore resilientinthe end!However,itishow we deal withadversity,whichisthe deciding
factor. Readon to discoverfourtypesof adversityyoumayface at some time inyourlife,plusthe best
waysto recoverfromthemand regainhappiness.

2. FINANCIALADVERSITY
“A happylife consistsnotinthe absence butinthe masteryof hardships.” ― HelenKeller
As withanytype of adversity,overcomingfinancialhardshipismucheasierif youmaintainapositive
outlook,andone wayto achieve thisistohave a planinplace.Therefore,whetheryoufindyourselfin
debt,or are justfedupwithlivingpayday topayday,the followingtipswillhelpyougetbackonthe
road:
Create new habits—tosave yourself fromfinancial hardshipinthe future,youneedtochange your
relationshipwithmoney.The Independenthassome greatideastogetyoustarted.
Set goals—deal withone taskata time as you sortout your finances.Havinggoalsinplace will notonly
give youa purpose,youwill alsofeel betteraboutyourself eachtime youtickagoal off yourlist.
EMOTIONAL ADVERSITY
"The most beautiful peopleI've knownare those whohave knowntrials,have knownstruggles,have
knownloss,andhave foundtheirwayoutof the depths.” ― ElisabethKübler-Ross
There isno denyingthatemotional adversitycanhithardand be difficulttoovercome,butthe keywith
emotionsistolearnhowto experience themwithoutlettingthemoverwhelmus.Here are some
suggestionstohelpyougetoutof yourheadand back intothe world:
Volunteer—helpinginthe communitywilltake yourmindoff yourtroubles,butperhapsmore
importantly,the actof helpingotherswill improveyourmental healthinthe end.
Do not suppressyour emotions—itiseasytostruggle withfeelingsof depressionandanxietyinthe
hope that will make themgoaway,butresearchshowsthat byacceptingthem, youeventuallydiminish
themof theirpower.

3. Meditate—whenyouare feelingdown,meditationcanbe a wonderful tool tofortifythe mindandgive
youa greatersense of perspective.Similarly,takingamomentoutof your hecticschedule torejuvenate
can helpyoureflectonyourfeelings.Itcouldbe assimple asa wellbeingmassage oratripto a sauna!
PHYSICALADVERSITY
“My advice tootherdisabled people wouldbe,concentrate onthingsyourdisabilitydoesn’tpreventyou
doingwell,anddon’tregretthe thingsitinterfereswith.Don’tbe disabledinspiritaswell asphysically.”
―StephenHawking
Whetheryouhave a physical disabilityoranillnessthataffectsyourmobility,physical adversityhasits
ownset of challengestoovercome tolive afull andhappylife:
It is important not to letyour physical limitationsdefine whoyou are. Acceptyourphysical
limitations—Doingsowill give youroom formental andspiritual growth.
Allowyourselfto grieve—if yousuppressyoursadfeelings,itwill be hardertoheal emotionally,so
allowyourself the odddarkdaywhere yougrieve forwhatwas.Thiswill helpyouheal andregaina
positive attitude.Inaddition,donotbe afraidto turn to friendsandfamilywhenfeelyouneedsupport.
Getout into nature—Goingforgroupwalkscan make a markeddifference inyourmood.Findoutif any
groupsmeetinyour area.
SOCIAL ADVERSITY
“You can’t stay in yourcorner of the forestwaitingforotherstocome to you.You have to go to them
sometimes.” ― A.A.Milne,Winnie-the-Pooh
We are all social creatures,soitis nosurprise thatwhenwe go throughperiodsof social adversitywe
feel alone.According toa 2013 study,the average adult’snetworkof friendsandcolleagueshas
dwindledsignificantlyinthe last35 years,and the ensuinglonelinesshasanimpacton health.

4. If your social life leavesalotto be desired,itis importantthatyouopenyourself uptonew friendships.
Here is a fewideastogetyou started:
Join a club—whetheryoujoinabookclub,a local orchestra,or a dance class,doingan activitythatyou
enjoywill,increase yourchancesof meetingpeoplewithsimilarinterestsandwill hopefullyleadtonew
friendships.
Start saying yes—Conqueryoursocial adversitybysaying”yes”nexttime afriendorcolleaguesuggests
coffee,or,evenbetter,askyourself!
As I have justdescribed,withthe rightattitudeanda pinchof resilience,itispossible toovercome
adversity.Be sure toshowyourself plentyof compassionwhilstdoingso,andtake the time torelax
whenyoufeel overwhelmed. Therefore,whatwill youdotomake your daya happier,more productive
one?What do youneedtodo to get backin the flow?