Seeing the brighter side of things not only makes life more pleasant but can also help you lose weight. Emotional eating is one of the major causes of spinning out of control with food. If you could control your thoughts, maybe you could control what goes on afterward. Another thing about seeing the bright side of things is that it brings on far less stress. Stress causes the release of cortisol, a hormone known to hoard fat in the body, especially around the abdomen.

Here are 5 different ways that I use to try to look at the bright side of any situation and save myself a little stress.

Reframe the situation. Think about it like you are looking at it through rose tinted glasses. For example, if I was trying very hard to get a bunch of things done and the pressure was really on, I might have to eliminate something. I would do so as politely as possible and look at it as freeing up some space rather than failing. I am not Wonder Woman, after all.

Spend some time in the sun or under a special light that simulates sunlight. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, me included. I have difficulties being in the sun, so I use a full spectrum light. Either will give you the mood boost that you need. Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can be the blahs, depression, increased appetite, and lethargy. It’s hard to look on the bright side with all of that going on, so get in a little sunshine.

Be grateful. Many times we are so busy concentrating on what we don’t have. Try focusing the same energy on being grateful for what you do have at the moment. Sometimes, when I feel sorry for myself financially, I thank God that I can walk into my kitchen and get clean water to drink and I have a roof over my head. That really is more than some people have. So, really, I am very lucky.

Give. I try to pass on my blessings as well. Giving brings joy. You know the excitement you feel when you have a gift for someone and you can’t wait to see them open it? I love that feeling. Think of doing that on a small scale year round. It can be as simple as leaving a quarter in the shopping cart at Aldi for the next person to use, offering to buy a co-worker a beverage, or just offering a smile instead of averting your eyes as you walk.

Laugh. A lot. Rent a comedy movie, hang around your friends that can make you smile when there is nothing to smile about, find your best friend from 5th grade on Facebook and talk about your silly sleepovers. Do something totally goofy with your kids or set up a date from the early days with your hubby and laugh about old times.

The world is in a sad situation, but really, the only thing we can do to change it is to be happy and spread joy. So if you see nothing to laugh about or smile about, laugh in the face of what would be here to stay and smile it away. Your waistline will thank you for it as well.

How do you see the bright side?