When Colbert pressed her on the value of hope over fear, Obama said: “Hope is a medicine and fear is a drug.

“This trepidation and anxiety is all over the world. It’s unreasonable that we, as a world, can go through this transition without some fear and trepidation.

“Get to work, don’t be complacent and don’t be so cynical and turn off. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.”

Four snippets of handy advice from Michelle Obama

Watching the news

When asked if, since leaving the White House, she still watched the news on TV Obama laughed. She said: “When I am not able to deal with it, I turn it off. I only let that stuff in when I’m ready.”

Social media

The former First Lady revealed she does have a Twitter account, but she doesn’t read what’s happening across the social platform. She said: “Don’t read about your neighbours on twitter - someone can feed you lies and misperceptions.

“We need to get to know each other and not have our interactions filtered through some third party. We don’t know what their agenda is.

“We have to be sceptical about media social.”

Negative words

While Obama is certainly, and positively, to-the-point in her manner, she pays close attention to the way in which she speaks to people. She told the audience tonight: “Negative words have a lasting impact. We have to understand, as adults, we have the power to lift up kids or crush them.”

Everyday people making big changes the world

Colbert opened up the floor to questions from Twitter, one of which was: ‘How can everyday people make big changes in the world?’ Obama took a moment to answer this, but said: “A lot of people think change can only happen on the big stage. There is no one who has a monopoly on kindness and truth.

“We have an obligation not to lose faith in the possibility of being better. We have to do it for our kids. They deserve a world that is full of hope.”

If you’ve been left wanting more former First Lady inspiration - and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to hear more from the incredible woman - the Stylist team rounded up Michelle Obama’s best and most inspirational quotes.

Images: Getty

Michelle Obama’s simple way of dealing with negativity is a lesson we can all learn