How do you stay positive?

What I had to do was distance myself from groups that were only dragging me down or focusing all their time comparing meds and how bad there epilepsy was. We all know it's tough, but continually dwelling on it was just dragging me down. That is why I love this group. Everyone is so positive and uplifting. Thank you and know each of you keep me positive!

@dannoyes I stay positive by embracing the little wins, however small they are. Every day will be a different day and focusing on that day and staying present and in the moment is really key. Everyone will have bad days, however, surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting people, and supportive, loving individuals, can sometimes be the best medicine. I also make sure that I get enough sleep, that I eat healthy whole foods, exercise and have hobbies to interact with people and nature. I find some of the best things do not cost anything. I totally agree with surrounding yourself with positive people that don’t sit and dwell in the negative. It’s not good for mental health and it’s not good for staying positive. I believe the mind and body and staying in a good place is key to moving forward when you face medical issues, challenges, or trials. Another important factor at least I have found in my life, is taking time for yourself whether it’s an hour 45 minutes or 10 minutes, you take your time to just center yourself, or sit in meditation. Thinking of nothing, but a moment of peace and tranquility. It is good to get away from the noise of life. I also have found that having laughter, and smiling, has proven essential to diminish a negative outlook. After all, those of us that suffer with this are all fighters, each and every day of our life, we all persevere, and there is always someone who will have your back. Whether it be family, friends, church, etc, you are never alone.

Don't you almost feel that this perspective is almost as important as our medications? OK maybe I'm overstepping, but it sure does help.

If you are one who likes to read medical publications (yet this one is far more psychosocial and approachable than most), you might like this paper, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings back in 1997, by Ed Creagan, M.D., a Mayo Clinic oncologist:

-Attitude and Disposition: Do They Make a Difference in Cancer Survival? https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)63478-2/fulltext

This paper is more focused on cancer, given this doctor's profession, yet he also refers to a variety of medical and surgical issues. Note the part of the abstract at the beginning of the paper that talks specifically about social support, which I'm quoting here:

-Psychosocial interventions can be life enhancing in sharp contrast to the guilt-ridden programs of some alternative practitioners. A social support system and an element of spirituality and religion seem to be the most consistent predictors of quality of life and possible survival among patients with advanced malignant disease.

@dannoyes I do. For me they are more important than my medications. I realize that others may see this differently. However for me, medications are a piece of the puzzle, but not the entire piece. I am medication resistant, so for me, I never know how long or if they will last, so I focus on what I have control over.