Change is constant, but upheaval can be overwhelming and exhausting. Depending on where you live, you’re at least 10 weeks into quarantine. That means most of us are well into life and work disrupted.

Wherever you are on the disruption continuum and regardless of how it’s related stress is playing out in your life, it’s important to monitor your emotional and psychological wellbeing. In times of change and disruption, looking on the bright side of life is good for your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Even if at times you feel hopeless and exhausted, studies indicate the brain, with optimistic habits and thoughts, can rewire for optimism.

Shawn Achor, CEO of Goodthink Inc, has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between happiness and success. So while injecting optimism into your daily life will make you happier, it can also make you work smarter, be more creative and achieve greater levels of success. Consider it a 2-for-1.

What can you do?

Do these 5 things for 21 days to rewire your brain for optimism and subsequently improve performance, intelligence, energy and creativity.

• Be mindful – list 3 things you are you grateful for each day and talk about them with your family over dinner. Spread the gratitude to grow optimism.
• Journal about one positive experience you had in your day.
• Exercise – when you move, dopamine flows through you and good things happen physiologically.
• Meditate or pray – eliminate all distractions for at least 10 minutes each day.
• Pay it forward – do one act of kindness every day, without expectation.

For more, watch Shawn’s very funny and fast-paced 12-minute TedTalk.

2021 Update – Read up on how to navigate the new hybrid post-pandemic workplace.