Sandy City Storage in Sandy City

The 6 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Utah

Sandy City Storage — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 23:19:36 +0000

Utah is a great place to explore the great outdoors with your canine companion. Many trails have designated off-leash days (usually odd days), and there’s a variety of geographical wonders to take in around the state.

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog-friendly hikes in Utah, and I’d love to hear all about your favorite places, too.

Remember to keep your dog within voice and sight distance at all times, and be sure to pack waste removal bags, dog treats, and a packable water bowl.

1. Bloods Lake and Lake Lachkawaxen: Park City

Heaven for water-loving dogs in Salt Lake City and Park City, Bloods Lake and Lake Lachkawaxen are short, accessible trails on the east side of Guardsman Pass on the backside of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The two lakes offer cool water for swimming and playing, and the 3 mile round-trip hike is perfect for days when you just want to chill out in the mountains. Dogs can be off leash here, so they can run and romp to their heart’s desire. This trail is on the backside of Big Cottonwood Canyon, where dogs aren’t allowed, so keep your dog in the car until you get to the trailhead on the backside of Big Cottonwood canyon.

2. Bowman Fork trail Millcreek Canyon: Salt Lake City

Leave the city behind for the day and head into Millcreek Canyon for a nice streamside hike with Fido. You’ll find the Bowman Fork trail 4 miles into the canyon, and you’ll love it for its great views, wildflowers and variable terrain. Your dog will love the stream and shade. The out-and-back hike is a total of 8.6 miles. Dogs may be off-leash on odd days.

3. Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge: Moab

While the name might be cringe inducing (Negro Bill Canyon was named after a black prospector and rancher named William Granstaff), the hike is positively lovely for canines and humans alike. The trail follows a stream that dogs relish, and cottonwood and willow trees offer cool solace from the hot Utah sun. After two miles of easy hiking, you’ll find the glorious Morning Glory Bridge, a natural rock formation that spans 243 feet. This is a hiking-only trail, so you don’t risk spooking horses or getting run over by mountain bikers here. Arches National park doesn’t allow dogs, so this is a wonderful place to bring your canine companion when you’re in the area.

4. Hunter Canyon Trail in Moab

Hunter Canyon Trail is a great choice for dog owners who like to camp and hike with their pup. Unlike Arches National Park, dogs are welcome at Hunter Canyon. You can set up camp in one of the nine campsites on the lower part of the canyon, then take a hike up the canyon floor. A stream runs along and over the trail, and you can usually boulder hop over it while your dog runs and splashes through it. Hunter Canyon trail is a pretty easy 3.4 mile out-and-back trail that offers shade, water and beautiful canyon scenery.

5. Round Valley: Park City

Park City locals love Round Valley in the winter — it’s a great place to cross-country ski — and dogs love it in any season for its wide-open space. Round Valley has over 30 trails, and your dog can run wild all over the entire valley. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers, but you won’t run into many people thanks to the size of the valley and vast trail system. Sagebrush and Oak dominate the terrain, and there’s not much shade or water, so come prepared on hot days.

6. Pa’rus Trail: Zion National Park

If you want to explore Zion National Park with your dog, you only have one option; fortunately, it’s a great one! Pa’rus trail is the only trail in the park that allows dogs, and is an easy 3.5 mile stroll on a paved trail next to the gurgling Virgin River (“Pa-rus” is the Paiute word for “bubbling water”). You’ll see loads of beautiful wildflowers, grazing mule deer and the stunning Zion scenery. Try hiking the Pa’rus trail during sunrise or sunset, or in the cooler months. The trail can get hot during summer days.

That sums up my list of the best dog-friendly hikes in Utah. Where are your favorite places to explore with your dog?

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Here’s How Much Do You Really Need?

Sandy City Storage — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 23:47:29 +0000

A national panel of sleep experts released new recommendations Monday that call for more hours of sleep for most young people.

The National Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at promoting healthy sleep and safety, says the amount of sleep a person needs is highly variable and that some people need more than others. Still, the new hour ranges for each age group recommend more hours for infants, kids and teens:

Newborns (0-3 months ): Sleep range narrowed to 14-17 hours each day (previously it was 12-18)
Infants (4-11 months): Sleep range widened two hours to 12-15 hours (previously it was 14-15)
Toddlers (1-2 years): Sleep range widened by one hour to 11-14 hours (previously it was 12-14)
Preschoolers (3-5): Sleep range widened by one hour to 10-13 hours (previously it was 11-13)
School age children (6-13): Sleep range widened by one hour to 9-11 hours (previously it was 10-11)
Teenagers (14-17): Sleep range widened by one hour to 8-10 hours (previously it was 8.5-9.5)
Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category)
Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours
Older adults (65+): Sleep range is 7-8 hours (new age category)

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Best Time to Visit Salt Lake City, Utah, Weather Year Round

Sandy City Storage — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:50:40 +0000

Salt Lake City is a popular tourist destination all year long. Winter is the peak season because of all of the ski slopes in the area. Summer is another peak season because schools are on break and many people enjoy the great outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and enjoying the lake. Spring is a good time to visit because there are less crowds, but with rain and melting snow, the ground can be soggy making some outdoor activities difficult. The fall months from September to October are the best times to visit Salt Lake City. There are less crowds than during the peak seasons and you will appreciate the low room rates.

Salt Lake City Weather & Temperature by Month

January is the chilliest month of Salt Lake City and also brings the most snowfall in the year with an 11 inch (28 cm) average. The average high temperature is 38°F (4°C), while the average low temperature is a freezing 26°F (-3°C).

In February, temperatures climb a handful to 44°F (7°C) for the average high temperature and 31°F (-1°C) for the average low. Snowfall decreases to 10 inches (25 cm). Salt Lake City remains a winter wonderland making it a great time to enjoy winter sports.

Salt Lake City Weather in March: The cold weather continues in March despite the arrival of spring. The average and average low temperatures range between 53°F (12°C), 38°F (3°C). With the increase in the temperature averages, the snowfall average decrease to 6 inches (15 cm).

April sees the lowest amount of snowfall in the year with an average of 3 inches (8 cm). Precipitation is also at its highest in the year with Salt Lake City receiving 2 inches (59 mm) of rainfall. The average high temperature makes a considerable climb to 61°F (16°C), as does the average low temperature which settles at 43°F (11°C).

In May, the climate starts to get even warmer as the last month of spring. The average high and average low temperatures are 71°F (22°C) and 52°F (11°C) respectively.

Salt Lake City Weather in June: Summer arrives and brings sunnier days along with it in June. The month receives 358 hours of sunshine along with hot summer days. Average high temperatures climb to 82°F (28°C). Evenings bring cooler weather as the average low temperature is 61°F (16°C).

July is the hottest month of the year with the average high temperatures reaching a stifling 90°F (32°C). As the peak month of summer, July is the sunniest month out of the year with an expected 377 hours of sunshine. This month also has the lowest precipitation rate with an average rainfall below nearing 0 inches (15 mm). Low temperature is 69°F (20°C).

In August, the average high and average low temperatures decrease ever slightly to 89°F (31°C) and 67°F (19°C) respectively. This makes August the second hottest month in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Weather in September: Fall arrives in Salt Lake City in September, bringing with is much cooler temperature. The average high temperature alone drops over 10 degrees to 78°F (26°C). The average low temperature also makes a steep decrease to 58°F (14°C).

October sees another big drop in climate. The average high and average low temperatures range between 65°F (18°C) and 46°F (8°C).

In November, snow starts to fall again in Salt Lake City with a 7 inch (18 cm) average. The average high temperature peaks at 50°F (10°C) while the lowest temperature average bottoms out at 36°F (2°C).

December is the second coldest month in the year as the average high temperature hits a maximum of 40°F (4°C). The low temperature average is 27°F (-3°C). December also gets 135 hours of sunshine, one of the lower average of sunlight annually.

Utah is filled with gorgeous natural wonders to visit. For those who are interested in visiting the Zion National Park, the best time to come is between April and October, with the least crowds the closer it is to winter. The nearby Bryce Canyon National Park is best visited during spring or fall, but if you prefer to avoid crowds in general, come between December and February. Meanwhile, outdoor activities in the Arches National Park is most ideal between September to November. The best time to visit Salt Lake City is between September and October when hotel prices are low and temperatures are much more manageable.

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2019 Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Siamsa

Sandy City Storage — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 03:34:50 +0000

On behalf of the Hibernian Society of Utah, we welcome you to the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade! If this is not your first time, welcome back!

Join us on March 16th at 10:00 a.m. for the 41st annual Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade liquid sunshine or shine; it never gets cancelled! The line of march will begin at 200 South & 500 East, proceeding west & concluding at State Street.

Continue the festivities with a taste of live Irish music, dance & cuisine at the Siamsa, Salt Lake’s Celtic festival at the Gallivan Center at 239 South Main Street, following the parade.

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How to Plant a Spring Garden!

Sandy City Storage — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 22:06:15 +0000

There are many reasons to plant a garden. Maybe you love cooking with fresh produce. Perhaps you’ve resolved to eat healthier. Or maybe you’re looking for an activity to engage kids in outdoor fun. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to take the plunge. But where do you begin? As a new gardener, learning how to plant a garden may seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. Here are 7 easy steps to get you started.

1. Start small

One of the biggest mistakes a new gardener can make is to be overly ambitious when starting a garden. Set realistic goals for your first year — think one bed or a collection of containers. Give yourself a chance to learn how to keep your plants healthy and productive, then enjoy the harvest. There’s always next year to expand!

2. Select your site

Most vegetables need lots of sun to produce well, so look for a space that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. (If your site offers only limited light, you’ll simply need to grow herbs or veggies like lettuce or kale that thrive in part-shade.) Next, see if there’s a way to locate the garden near the entrance to your house so you’ll be more likely to notice if it needs water or pests invade. Finally, make sure there’s a water source nearby so it will be easy to give your plants the inch or more of water per week that most gardens require. Installing a rain gauge in the garden helps you know when you need to give Mother Nature a hand in hydrating.

3. Choose your garden type

How will your garden grow — in the ground, in raised beds, in containers, or a combination of styles? Here’s what to consider when deciding:

If your selected site offers rich, well-draining soil free from trees and shrubs (which will compete for nutrients and water), planting an in-ground vegetable garden may be the way to go. You can improve the soil, too, by adding fertilizer or Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs, which contains lots of nutrients for your plants and will help protect against under- and over-watering.
In less perfect soil conditions, raised beds offer a good solution for planting a garden, as you can control the components in the soil. A mix of compost, vermiculite, and garden soil works for filling raised beds, or make it easy by filling each bed with pre-mixed, nutrient-rich Bed Soil.
Don’t have much room to grow? Containers are the best solution, as they can be placed anywhere you have sun (think decks, balconies, driveways). Just remember to add drainage holes if they aren’t there already, and choose a container that’s big enough for the plants you want to grow. No need to get fancy here if you don’t want to, either — 5-gallon buckets with holes poked through the bottom make excellent planters! Whatever containers you choose, fill them with premium quality potting soil, such as Potting Mix, as garden soil is too heavy.

4. Make a list

Now that you know where you’re going to plant, it’s time to decide what you’re going to plant. Make a list of the veggies and herbs you love to eat. Perhaps you adore peas but are emotionally traumatized by childhood memories of unadorned broccoli. Add peas to your list, but leave broccoli off. If your family loves cucumbers but you’re the only tomato eater, add extra cucumbers to the list—but include a tomato plant or two for yourself. Love making your own tabbouleh? Parsley should definitely be on your list.

5. Plan your planting

Those little plants are going to get bigger, so it’s important to give them enough space. If you crowd them, they’ll end up competing with one another for moisture and nutrients, plus be more susceptible to disease due to lack of air circulation — not to mention that pests hide more easily in tight spaces. Check plant tags to learn how much space they need, or download any number of free apps for spacing info, sunlight requirements, planting advice, and more. Then, sketch out where you plan to put your plants.

6. Get your plants

Consult your local nursery or locate a store nearest you, then grab your list and head on over there. Or, if you’d prefer to have your plants come to you, there are a number of online locations that deliver right to your door.

7. Plant ‘em!

Now comes the most fun part. Dig a hole in the soil, place the plant in the hole at the appropriate depth (check the plant tag), fill in soil around the plant, then gently pat it down. Note that you’ll want to plant tomatoes deep, burying ⅔ of the plant so additional roots can grow along the stem. Water well and be sure to feed your plants regularly with a good fertilizer like which is filled with micronutrients and extra calcium to help plants grow strong. (Don’t forget to follow the directions on the label.)

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How to Have A Clutter-Free Small Bedroom

Sandy City Storage — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 00:54:45 +0000

It’s not easy to get a good night’s sleep in a crowded, cluttered bedroom. it’s easier to sleep when you’re not worried about folding all that laundry in the corner, and it’s easier to wake up when you don’t trip over the junk on your bedroom floor. If you have a small bedroom, the space constraints may make it that much harder to keep it calm and serene—but that just means you need to get a little more creative in keeping a small bedroom clutter-free.

1. Think Like a Minimalist

Much of what’s sold as necessary bedroom furniture isn’t really necessary. A bench at the foot of the bed, a vanity table, and a large armoire might look nice in a magazine, but in the average home, all that furniture would make it impossible to walk.

All you really need in your bedroom is a bed, space for the items you need beside you while you’re sleeping (water, tissues, etc.), and somewhere to store your clothes. You do not need a desk, or a vanity or an extra dresser. Even better, you can use two small dressers as your night tables rather than crowding your space with two small night tables and one big dresser.

2. Clear your nightstand

In a bedroom with little furniture, it’s easy to wind up piling everything onto your nightstand. To avoid that (it’s a recipe for losing watches and jewelry), buy a nightstand with drawers. It’s tempting to buy something that’s beautiful but that has very little storage space. Resist the urge and buy something with at least two drawers. With drawers, you can keep the top of your nightstand clean and clear. Limit this space to just two or three items—maybe a lamp, a box of tissues and a small dish to hold earrings and a watch. Consider mounting your bedside lamps on the wall next to your bed to free up even more space.

3. Use the space under your bed

If your bed allows for storage space underneath, this is a great place to keep shoes or off-season clothes. Just make sure to keep the space under your bed neat and clear of dust. Items to consider storing under your bed include luggage, out-of-season clothing, gift wrap, toys, linens, and books. Consider purchasing wide, flat, plastic boxes where you can keep items clean and sorted.

4. Create a calming environment.

Even if your bedroom is just one corner of a studio apartment, try to keep it free of clutter. A messy tiny room can feel like a cage, but an organized tiny room feels cozy, which is conducive to relaxation and sleep. Thinking about making a room calm can also help if you tend to associate organizing and cleaning with unpleasant chores. Be sure that there is a place for everything, and that everything has a place—even if that means moving some of your things to storage for a period of time.

5. Declutter often.

So you’ve cleared all the unnecessary furniture and stuff out of your bedroom. That’s excellent. But the organizing isn’t over. The smaller the room, the faster it’s going to become messy, even if you don’t have all that much stuff to begin with. Go through your room each week to remove unneeded receipts, packaging, food containers, or other items that may accumulate.

6. Get creative with storage space.

In a room with few obvious storage options, sometimes you can take advantage of vertical space to create your own storage solutions. Though it’s not a good idea to fill a small bedroom with lots of shelves and boxes if you don’t absolutely have to, it’s helpful to know some tricks for how to maximize space in a small room.

7. Keep shoes in their place.

You don’t have to store shoes in your bedroom just because the rest of your clothing is there. In fact, if you have more storage space elsewhere in your apartment it’s often better to use that instead. But if you want to keep shoes in your room, there are a variety of ways to store footwear neatly. Consider buying a shoe bag that can be hung on the back of your closet door, or placing shoes in a plastic box under the bed.

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The Tracy Aviary

Sandy City Storage — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 04:00:12 +0000

The Tracy Aviary provides a sanctuary for birds of many species from all around world. Native birds to Utah also find refuge at the Aviary and the surrounding Liberty Park. These wild birds are attracted to the water features, large trees, and the relative safety of the park. The Tracy Aviary offers 11 exhibits sure to captivate the young and the old. As you enter the park the first attraction is the duck feeding pond. The Mallards, Golden-Eyes, Redheads, and Teals will be waiting for you to throw them a treat. On our visit the park staff was feeding the Pelicans; what a spectacle that was. A dozen or so large birds with there heads raised high waiting to catch a fish. Feeding schedules vary depending on what time a day you visit the park. If you want to be part or witness the feeding of the birds contact the park for more information.

As you continue to explore you will be treated to birds of all colors, sizes, and species. Two of my favorite exhibits are the Birds and Prey and the Owl Forest. The Owl forest opened in May of 2011 and it’s situated within 100 native conifers offering visitors a rich forest atmosphere. The birds of prey exhibit allows you to get up close and personal to a King Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Andean Condor and more.

After you finish your visit at Tracy Aviary spend some time visiting Liberty Park the oldest and most prominent park in Utah. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic under a large shade tree. The kids will love playing on the playground while the adults just relax on the grass. If you’re searching for a fun very affordable outdoor activity the whole family will enjoy visit the Tracy Aviary and Liberty Park.

Location:

Tracy Aviary is located at 589 East 1300 South in the southwest corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.

More Information:

Tracy Aviary

589 East 1300 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Office Phone: 801-596-8500

Aviary Info: 801-596-8500 ext. 100

Official Website

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2019 Utah Boat Show & Watersports Expo

Sandy City Storage — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:01:47 +0000

2019 Utah Boat Show & Watersports Expo

February 7-10, 2019

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Consider the 53rd Utah Boat Show & Watersports Expo! This show is the best place to find anything related to boating. Compare all types of boats; houseboats, fishing boats, ski boats, wakeboard boats, pontoon boats and more! Don’t forget about the accessories! The Utah Boat Show has an amazing offering of all kinds of boating accessories, from swimsuits to boat polish and everything in between.

Admission for Adults is only $10.00 and Seniors/Military get in for $9.00. Consider a 4-Day Pass for $18.00 and kids 12 & Under are FREE!

The show starts Thursday, Feb 7th from 2 pm – 9 pm. Friday it opens at noon – 10 pm, Saturday from11 am – 10 pm and finishes up Sunday from 11 am – 6 pm.

It will be held at the Mountain America Expo Center located at 9575 State St, Sandy, UT.

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Get Tickets To The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show!

Sandy City Storage — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:02:06 +0000

What is more fun than an interactive murder mystery comedy dinner show? Solve a hilarious murder case while you feast on a fantastic four-course plated dinner. Just beware. The killer is hiding somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect.

The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show performs on Saturday nights, they also offer private shows that are customized to your group with roles for your group members to play. You can reserve your plate for a one-of-a-kind public or private event that your guests will talk about for months.

What makes The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show Different? They hide non-costumed actors in the audience that are pretending to be regular guests. This results in a much more social and interactive evening than with other shows; you will find yourself engaged and involved to a level you never thought possible. The shows are set during the present day and take place in real time. Over the course of the night, costumed Detectives will uncover clues, interrogate audience members that may or may not be part of the show, and help everyone get closer to solving the mystery. The audience member that gives the best correct answer of “whodunit?” before the killer is revealed will walk away with a stellar Prize Package.

Your ticket includes our signature murder mystery show with a Prize Package for the Top Sleuth of the night, as well as a fantastic dinner with individual choice of entree and waitstaff gratuity included.

Shows are geared toward adults and carry a PG-13 rating. Some mild content, loud noises, and adult humor will be present. Children ages 15+ with adult supervision are permitted.

Call or Email today to reserve your plate or visit them at their Website or on Facebook for tickets and showtimes.

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Three Ways To Stay Positive

Sandy City Storage — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:48:10 +0000

We’ve all received the well-meaning advice to “stay positive.” The greater the challenge, the more this glass-half-full wisdom can come across as Pollyannaish and unrealistic. It’s hard to find the motivation to focus on the positive when positivity seems like nothing more than wishful thinking.

The real obstacle to positivity is that our brains are hard-wired to look for and focus on threats. This survival mechanism served humankind well back when we were hunters and gatherers, living each day with the very real threat of being killed by someone or something in our immediate surroundings.

That was eons ago. Today, this mechanism breeds pessimism and negativity through the mind’s tendency to wander until it finds a threat. These “threats” magnify the perceived likelihood that things are going—and/or are going to go—poorly. When the threat is real and lurking in the bushes down the path, this mechanism serves you well. When the threat is imagined and you spend two months convinced the project you’re working on is going to flop, this mechanism leaves you with a soured view of reality that wreaks havoc in your life.

Maintaining positivity is a daily challenge that requires focus and attention. You must be intentional about staying positive if you’re going to overcome the brain’s tendency to focus on threats. It won’t happen by accident. That’s why positivity is the skill that I’ll be giving extra attention in 2016.

Positivity and Your Health

Pessimism is trouble because it’s bad for your health. Numerous studies have shown that optimists are physically and psychologically healthier than pessimists.

Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania has conducted extensive research on the topic. Seligman worked with researchers from Dartmouth and the University of Michigan on a study that followed people from age 25 to 65 to see how their levels of pessimism or optimism influenced their overall health. The researchers found that pessimists’ health deteriorated far more rapidly as they aged.

Seligman’s findings are similar to research conducted by the Mayo Clinic that found optimists have lower levels of cardiovascular disease and longer life-spans. Although the exact mechanism through which pessimism affects health hasn’t been identified, researchers at Yale and the University of Colorado found that pessimism is associated with a weakened immune response to tumors and infection.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky went so far as to inject optimists and pessimists with a virus to measure their immune response. The researchers found optimists had a much stronger immune response than pessimists.

Positivity and Performance

Keeping a positive attitude isn’t just good for your health. Martin Seligman has also studied the connection between positivity and performance. In one study in particular, he measured the degree to which insurance salespeople were optimistic or pessimistic in their work. Optimistic salespeople sold 37% more policies than pessimists, who were twice as likely to leave the company during their first year of employment.

Seligman has studied positivity more than anyone, and he believes in the ability to turn pessimistic thoughts and tendencies around with simple effort and know-how. But Seligman doesn’t just believe this. His research shows that people can transform a tendency toward pessimistic thinking into positive thinking through simple techniques that create lasting changes in behavior long after they are discovered.

Here are three things that I’ll be doing this year to stay positive.

1. Separate Fact from Fiction

The first step in learning to focus on the positive requires knowing how to stop negative self-talk in its tracks. The more you ruminate on negative thoughts, the more power you give them. Most of our negative thoughts are just that — thoughts, not facts.

When you find yourself believing the negative and pessimistic things your inner voice says, it’s time to stop and write them down. Literally stop what you’re doing and write down what you’re thinking. Once you’ve taken a moment to slow down the negative momentum of your thoughts, you will be more rational and clear-headed in evaluating their veracity. Evaluate these statements to see if they’re factual. You can bet the statements aren’t true any time you see words like never, always, worst, ever, etc.

Do you really always lose your keys? Of course not. Perhaps you forget them frequently, but most days you do remember them. Are you never going to find a solution to your problem? If you really are that stuck, maybe you’ve been resisting asking for help. Or if it really is an intractable problem, then why are you wasting your time beating your head against the wall? If your statements still look like facts once they’re on paper, take them to a friend or colleague you can trust, and see if he or she agrees with you. Then the truth will surely come out.

When it feels like something always or never happens, this is just your brain’s natural threat tendency inflating the perceived frequency or severity of an event. Identifying and labeling your thoughts as thoughtsby separating them from the facts will help you escape the cycle of negativity and move toward a positive new outlook.

2. Identify a Positive

Once you snap yourself out of self-defeating, negative thoughts, it’s time to help your brain learn what you want it to focus on — the positive.

This will come naturally after some practice, but first you have to give your wandering brain a little help by consciously selecting something positive to think about. Any positive thought will do to refocus your brain’s attention. When things are going well, and your mood is good, this is relatively easy. When things are going poorly, and your mind is flooded with negative thoughts, this can be a challenge. In these moments, think about your day and identify one positive thing that happened, no matter how small. If you can’t think of something from the current day, reflect on the previous day or even the previous week. Or perhaps there is an exciting event you are looking forward to that you can focus your attention on.

The point here is you must have something positive that you’re ready to shift your attention to when your thoughts turn negative. Step one stripped the power from negative thoughts by separating fact from fiction. Step two is to replace the negative with a positive. Once you have identified a positive thought, draw your attention to that thought each time you find yourself dwelling on the negative. If that proves difficult, you can repeat the process of writing down the negative thoughts to discredit their validity, and then allow yourself to freely enjoy positive thoughts.

3. Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

Taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for isn’t merely the “right” thing to do; it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. Research conducted at the University of California, Davis, found that people who worked daily to cultivate an attitude of gratitude experienced improved mood, energy and substantially less anxiety due to lower cortisol levels.

You cultivate an attitude of gratitude by taking time out every day to focus on the positive. Any time you experience negative or pessimistic thoughts, use this as a cue to shift gears and think about something positive. In time, a positive attitude will become a way of life.

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