Having a positive outlook doesn’t just make every day more fun but many doctors now say it can add years to our lives. In our day-to-day world staying positive can be easier said than done, especially when work is overwhelming, bills are due and relationships are not going how we expect. But positive we must be because life really is beautiful and it’s meant to be enjoyed. Here are five tips for getting and staying positive.

1. Remind yourself “This too shall pass”
Yes, it’s the advice our mothers or grandmothers gave that we didn’t want to hear but there’s truth to it. We all have times in our lives when we’re overwhelmed with negative feelings. We feel fear, doubt, general sadness and disappointment and sometimes there’s nothing we can do to change the circumstance but remind ourselves that whatever it is that’s bringing us down will pass. Look back to a time you had similar feelings and get confident knowing that if you got through that you’ll get through the present rough patch too.

2. Make a gratitude list
When in a funk grab a pen and paper and list all of the things you’re grateful for. (Hopefully you can find at least five!) Finding things to be grateful for shifts our mental focus and overall energy to a more positive place. And yes, even when we're down there’s always someone or something to be grateful for.

3. Smile
Look around and find something that makes you smile. Maybe it’s your silly cat, a photo that sparks a happy memory, or a scene from your favorite TV show. Whatever you can find that makes you smile even for a few seconds will move you to a more positive place.

4. Get Inspired
When feeling down find something inspiring to help you believe in the good in life again. Read a book, watch a YouTube video of Oprah, Steve Jobs or J.K. Rowling speaking at a commencement, or ask someone who was in a similar situation how they overcame it. Crest & Oral-B has a ton of inspirational material on their new project site Life Opens Up Project. Whatever you need to do to get inspired do it!

5. Turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone
Is the glass half full or empty? Life really is how we decide to see it and the best way to be positive is to find the good in our situations. Easier said than done for sure but the more we practice the easier it becomes. Sometimes the easiest positive to find is that we learned something from the situation or that we are stronger, wiser, better people because of the experience. In our journey through life we’re all bound to encounter stumbling blocks but it’s up to us to see them as potential stepping stones.

Your mouth is more than just teeth and gums, it's your most important feature when it comes to expressing yourself and engaging with the world.  The Crest  & Oral-B Life Opens Up Project will highlight individual stories that showcase how a healthy mouth has played a role in opening up to life and to the world.  www.LifeOpensUpProject.com

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Crest & Oral-B via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Crest & Oral-B