Over the years, however, I have become aware that even positive thinking may not be enough to help some people make the changes they desire. The trick here is to get out of your head and start taking positive action.

Rather than just keeping the positivity to yourself, you need to share it. Having a positive influence on those around you will change the way you feel inside. Just doing this can make you a happier person, even if you are dealing with very difficult issues.

Taking action means doing things that are good for you and never doing anything that could possibly harm you. That means, if you have been ill and not strong enough to take a run or even a walk, you need to wait until you are well before you start exercising. What you can do, in the meantime, is work with a physical therapist to help you get stronger in a gradual and healthy way.

The same principle holds true if you want to lose weight (which many think about as the new year rolls around). We all know that crash diets don’t work. You have to approach your goal gradually and give yourself the time your body needs to react to your new healthy and balanced diet.

If you suffer from depression or anxiety, getting out of the house, even to the mall, will help you deal with these conditions. Not only do you get exercise by walking around, you get to see people and things that will at least for a time, distract you from your mood. One of the most difficult parts of dealing with anxious or depressive moods is our tendency to ruminate, letting the same negative thoughts keep spinning around in our brains. Getting rid of the negative thoughts by doing something fun can help to break this cycle.

Taking action also means doing what you can to keep your family and social connections strong. When you’re struggling, outside observers can give you direction that will help you deal with whatever you’re confronting. Often the people around us see things that we don’t, especially when we are unhappy. Remember it is always wise to take some time to consider the potential outcomes of any advice before taking action.

Doing new things creates positive chemicals in your brain, which makes you feel better about life and closer to your loved ones. Follow a dream, go on an adventure – even for just a day. If you have never taken a drive to look at the sights in your neighborhood, this would be a good time to give it a try. By opening your psyche to new experiences you not only broaden your horizions, you give yourself an emotional lift in the process.

Taking positive action makes things and people better. It’s that simple, and all you have to do is take the first step.