Summertime. The weather is warm and the people are here. I have discussed the topic of people's attitudes with staff managers, as well as customers and it seems to be a common theme that many people have been in a morale slump for the past year. Unfortunately, many folks have just been frustrated for one reason or another.

So what can we do to help fix this problem?

Be a leader with a positive attitude. Negativity spreads like wildfire, but so does a positive attitude. If you feel a conversation starting to go negative, purposefully change the subject to a good one. I have taken many search-and-rescue classes and it is stated that the first element of survival is having a positive mental attitude. You must believe that things will improve before they will.

Get outside. Being outside makes you feel good. Whether it is soaking up rays of sunshine, star gazing, listening to the water lap on the shore, or listening to the sound of birds chirp, it will make you feel better than sitting inside.

Move it or lose it. Be physically active. Whether it's a simple walk, paddling, pedaling, or swimming, something is better than nothing. I promise you will feel better than you did before.

All of these solutions require you to make an effort, but they are free of charge. Many of the things that bother us are out of our control, but these are not.

See you outside.

Jeff Atkins

St. Helena Island