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Life is full of ups and downs, and we never quite know what is around the next corner. Currently I feel like many days are more downs than ups – we’re in a period of uncertainty . I call it riding the struggle bus, which we all take a little trip on now and again. We might be planning for a positive change in our lives one day, and then dealing with something that threatens to shatter our world the next. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that we all go through rough spells in life, but it is how we deal with these that will make a difference to our overall health and happiness. Dealing with life’s issues head-on, and knowing what to do when the worst happens is often half the battle. Here are some ways to keep fighting and help you see the light at the end of the tunnel sooner.
Acknowledge and Understand Your Problems
The first step to overcoming any problem is to acknowledge it. I’m one that prefers the method I like to call deflection, but in all honesty, it doesn’t really help matters any. Often it is easy to bury our heads in the sand and get on with life or throw ourselves into our work as a distraction. Papering over the cracks can lead us to more significant issues later on down the line, and by the time they emerge, we may not fully see the link. Dealing with problems as they arise means that you are more likely to see closure on an issue. Look for ways to help yourself get out of the situation and take ownership of how you feel right now. I’m working on this every single day. This may not be comfortable for you, as it isn’t for me, and may leave you feeling vulnerable and uncertain about the future, but understanding within yourself how you feel and how your issues have impacted on you will better equip you to process them.
Get Help From Professionals
Whatever problems you are facing, there are professionals out there whose job it is to help support you through your time of crisis. You may need car accident lawyers known for providing excellent service, or a therapist to help you talk through loss or emotional problems. A financial adviser may be able to help with money and budget issues. If your issues are health-related, speaking to doctors as early as possible will help you get the right support quicker. Whatever life has thrown at you, know that you can get through it, but realize that you don’t have to get through it on your own, and there is certainly no shame in getting help from professionals.
Build Your Support Network
Speaking to friends or loved ones and letting them know precisely what you are going through is essential. You will need all the support you can get, even if that’s a friendly ear or someone who can help you out with the small day to day things so that life does not become too overwhelming to deal with. It can be hard sometimes to admit to those we love that we are having problems. It might be for fear of how this will be received, or it may be a matter of personal pride. However, you should always ask yourself how you would react if a friend or family member came to you looking for that support, and also how you would feel if they did not feel they could ask you. Getting support from a friend or loved one can ultimately make the bond between you stronger. Remember, you are not alone!
Look After Yourself
Taking care of yourself is an essential part of any recovery program, be it emotional recovery or physical. Make sure you eat regular, balanced meals at set times, drink plenty of water, avoid drinking too much alcohol; especially if you are struggling emotionally. Try to get some exercise as the endorphins that physical activity gives you will help you feel more positive and energetic. Gentle meditation can help relax and deal with stress and anxiety. It is a small step to make, and it does take practice to start seeing the benefits. It is challenging sometimes to find the motivation to care about ourselves enough to put that effort in. Build yourself a self-care routine with small achievable steps that can build and build. Even a few minutes each day looking after ourselves can make a big difference to our confidence and self-esteem when we need all of our inner strength to get through the darkness.
Be Kind To Yourself
Blaming yourself is a normal stage of any recovery process. You may feel as though whatever has happened, you have brought it on yourself. However, what is essential for you moving on is that you allow yourself to get past these negative thoughts and tell yourself, it’s happened, you can’t change the past, but you can move forward and have a good future. Practice being kind to yourself every day, tell yourself positive things about yourself and learn to nip negativity in the bud. You can move forward, and you will have a better future.
Make Changes
A significant shift in your life can upset your routine. While this happens, everything might end up getting cast aside as it might all seem too overwhelming.
Stop. Take a bit of time to go through your life, have a look at work commitments, social activities, financial needs and work through them to see which things you need to keep in your routine to keep you motivated and feeling positive. During times of hardship, we quite often let things slide that are good for our emotional well-being, and we may later come to regret this.
Talk to people involved in any of these key areas of your life to discuss your problems. Come up with a plan with them on what you can commit to and when you think you’ll be able to handle everything again. Be honest with them and yourself, and don’t overstretch yourself or commit to anything that you don’t feel you can do.
Whatever your problems are, though, make sure you are proactive in trying to fix them and move past them. Your inner peace surrounding your problems should be your primary focus, and by getting the right help, practicing self-care and allowing yourself the right to heal will put you on the path to recovery.
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