Source: forbes.com
Negativity and fear can have a major impact on employees and the workplace, reducing engagement and productivity, and that perfectly describes today’s workplace climate. As meQuilibrium’s Summer 2025 State of the Workforce Report puts it, “A trifecta of pessimism, uncertainty, and disconnect is reaching critical levels at work, endangering employee well-being and undermining productivity.” Their study revealed that 67% of employees say they feel worse when considering the state of the country, 35% feel worse about their work situation, and 49% feel worse about their finances. It’s hard to maintain a positive attitude in the face of so much uncertainty and negativity. Add in rising climate anxiety (33% of Americans worry about climate change weekly) and we’ve got a full-on superfecta of pessimism.
Being Positive At Work Is Harder When Pessimism Compounds
The same meQuilibrium study revealed, “52% of employees expect the state of our country to worsen, 27% expect their finances to get even worse, and 24% expect their work situation to decline.” All this concern about the future is having a negative impact on the workplace. “Pessimism in the workforce represents a greater threat than just complaining about one’s job around the water cooler. It directly undermines workplace productivity and mental health,” said Brad Smith, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, meQ. “We found that employees with work-related pessimism experience an over 60% reduction in productivity and 128% greater risk of depression.” Here’s how to be positive when things feel grim.
1. Control What You Let In
Be mindful of what you’re consuming, especially when it comes to news and social media. Of course, it’s important to stay informed. And it’s just as important to set limits. Doomscrolling doesn’t make you smarter or more aware. It just feeds anxiety and drains your energy and attention. To reduce your negative news intake, be proactive. Seek out content that offers not just insight, but a balanced perspective. Select sources that cater to both your curiosity and optimism. This will help you feel informed and empowered.
2. Control Who You Let In
Just as important to your wellbeing as limiting your exposure to negative information is limiting your exposure to people who bring you down–the Doug or Debbie Downers who are having a pity party and want you to be a guest. Some people naturally focus on doom and gloom over positivity and possibility. To keep your mood in check, know who these people are in your life and limit your interactions with them. Equally important is knowing who the uplifters are in your life and making sure you connect with them regularly.
3. Amp Up Human Connection
When the world feels overwhelming, having real conversations with real people is grounding. Whether it’s scheduling a dinner with a friend, hopping on a Zoom call with your travel buddies, or simply saying hi to someone at your local coffee shop, human interaction reminds us that we’re not alone. A recent study found that 56% of remote workers went more than a week without leaving their house, and 25% do not speak to anyone for days. That’s a long time to go without human interaction. If you’re feeling disconnected, schedule some social connection into your week. Add “reach-outs” to your to-do list, especially to optimistic friends or people you haven’t spoken to in a while. It will boost their mood, and yours.
4. Focus On What You Can Control, And Let Go Of What You Can’t
When global events feel overwhelming, it’s easy to feel powerless. But you do have control over how you show up for others, for your work, and for yourself. Choose to be kind every day, to everyone you meet. Even the smallest act can have a ripple effect. Holding the door, offering a genuine compliment, or expressing gratitude can brighten someone else’s day and shift your own mindset in the process. And being kind applies to you, too. Avoid putting yourself down. Acknowledge yourself regularly.
5. Smile, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
Smiling triggers a powerful chemical reaction in your brain. In a Psychology Today article, Sarah Stevenson explains, “When you smile, neuropeptides that help reduce stress are released. These neuropeptides send messages to your entire body when you’re happy, excited, sad, or depressed. Feel-good neurotransmitters, like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, are all released when a smile flashes across your face. This relaxes your body and can also lower your blood pressure and heart rate.” And here’s the best part: Even an inauthentic smile can create this effect. So yes, when it comes to smiling, fake it till you make it. It works.
6. Anchor In Gratitude And Progress
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means acknowledging what’s good alongside what’s challenging. Recognize progress, even small wins, to remind yourself that you’re still moving forward, even when the world feels stuck. Try ending your day with my Feel-Good Trifecta. When your day is done, take time to record these three things:
- Something you learned
- Something you’re grateful for
- Something you accomplished
When you close your day with this practice, it acts as a kind of emotional punctuation that helps release stress and shift your mindset away from anxiety and fear, toward accomplishment and possibility.
7. Support Those Around You
It’s true that misery loves company. It’s much the same for positivity. When you notice someone struggling or stressed, don’t wait to be asked for help. Offer support. Sometimes, just listening is enough to help someone feel seen and valued. And here’s the bonus: when you help others, it boosts your own mood, too. Peter Pan creator, Sir J.M. Barrie, famously said, “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” Seeing your impact on someone else’s day is a powerful antidote to helplessness and despair.
8. Nurture Your Curiosity And Creativity
When the world feels heavy, create something. What you create is up to you. It can be a short story, a sketch, a silly dance in your kitchen (no one’s watching)—whatever brings joy. Reflect on what lights you up creatively, and then act on it. When you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, give yourself 10–15 minutes of unstructured, unproductive play with no agenda, no outcome, no pressure. Just joy. You’ll be surprised by how much it lifts your spirits.
9. Be Prepared For Stressful Moments
You can’t always control what happens around you, but you can prepare for the things that might bring you down. Identify your go-to de-stressors and keep them accessible. If funny TV commercials cheer you up, save a few in your YouTube favorites. If deep breathing helps, bookmark this popular Quick Calm exercise. If social interaction soothes you, ensure your work environment fosters conversation and connection, rather than isolation. Having the right tools on the ready makes it easier to rebound from tough moments quickly and consistently.
Adopt A Positive Mindset
There’s a lot going on in the world that can feel destabilizing. Staying positive doesn’t mean pretending things are okay when they aren’t. It means intentionally adopting a mindset that serves you, regardless of what’s happening around you. It’s about choosing hope, perspective, gratitude, and human connection on purpose. That mindset isn’t just powerful, it’s contagious.
