At different points in everyone’s life, tough periods will appear, rearing their ugly heads in many ways. It could be in the form of separation from a loved one, grieving a loss, going through financial crises, or dealing with any other situation that takes a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health. During such periods, having strong coping mechanisms or strategies can be the difference between making it through and giving up. You might not always be in control of the difficulties, but you can have a say in how they impact your life. The following tips can help you pull through tough times.
- Write it out
Writing or journaling is a great way to get things off your chest, and research has shown that it can also help you feel a lot better. No matter what you’re going through, take a few minutes out of your day to write down your emotions and experiences. Please note that the key lies in writing with a pen and paper. Using your computer or a digital notepad might help, too, but it’s not as effective as writing with a pen or pencil in a journal or a sheet of paper. So, why is this important? The writing process can help you organise your thoughts, making your experiences or events less chaotic. It also serves as a channel to release your emotions while giving you insight into how you feel. In some cases, you might even be able to ponder solutions while you write, giving you more control over your situation.
- Find support
Finding support through tough times, such as after the loss of a loved one, can provide invaluable comfort and strength. A simple funeral service or a memorial, for example, can bring friends, family, loved ones, and sympathisers together, creating a community of support. This collective show of sympathy and support can alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of a shared burden, reminding you that you’re not alone in your grief. Professionals like funeral directors can help in such situations, but beyond them, you can also turn to counsellors to offer additional support. That can help you navigate your grief journey with greater resilience. But finding support isn’t only about grief. Regardless of what you’re going through, you can find a support system to help you.
- Practice positive projection
Positive projection is a mindset that allows you to project your positive expectations onto whatever situation you’re facing. While many use the term synonymously with having a positive outlook, it involves more. It not only expects positive outcomes from an existing situation, but it also focuses your attention and efforts on those outcomes. This way, instead of brooding over your current situation, you’ll spend more of your energy working towards and preparing for a positive outcome. Of course, positive projections can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations, which is why you have to remain realistic about your expected outcomes. This habit requires you to turn your positive outlook or intention into words. For example, you can project positively by convincing yourself that if you follow your treatment plan, you can beat the odds and recover from your illness.
Laura x