How to Cope Better when Going through a Tough Time

At some point in your life, you will have to go through something stressful. During these times, you may find that strong coping mechanisms can make a huge difference to you. Of course, exercising, getting enough rest and more can all be great supports in your situation, but with that being said, there are other things you can do to help you process what it is you’re going through. 

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Write it Down

Have you ever written a very angry email, but then deleted it? If so then there’s a very high chance that you feel way better in the end. If you have suffered a particularly upsetting event then writing about it can make you feel better. A lot of this comes down to the fact that writing helps you to organize your thoughts, and it also helps to make the experience feel way less chaotic. Writing is also great as it helps you to get the emotional release you’re looking for while giving you insight into the issues you are experiencing. If you are finding it hard to get started with writing then simply set aside 15 minutes or so aside, each day. Write about the events that you have gone through and the way that they made you feel. At this point, you need to make sure that you don’t worry about grammar or even artistry. You have to remember that this is just for you.

You do however also need to make sure that you stick with it. Sometimes, writing about an upsetting event can be painful and you may find that it is something you struggle with. With that being said, you do need to keep in mind that it will become therapeutic. If you have been through loss then it could be wise for you to try and speak to a counselor about it. It may also help to write down what you can do to honor your loved one. You could build a shrine in your home for them, with a photo and some candles or you could look into bronze grave markers from Memorials.com.

Tackle your Problems

If you know that you are dealing with a very stressful situation then you have to make sure that you do not stew in self-pity. Instead, make sure that you pick yourself up and that you do not waste time or energy blaming someone else. If you do then this will make you feel less powerful than you are. If you want to truly help yourself then it is a good idea for you to write down the problems you are experiencing because, on paper, you may find them to be manageable. You then need to write down as many solutions as you possibly can. For now, let your silence be the judge. You can always pick apart options later. If you can, you also need to assess your list. Try and ask yourself how you would like this situation to end. Which options are going to help you to get to where you need to be? You can also weigh up the pros and the cons, as this is a good way for you to get to the conclusion you need. Accept any good solutions you may come across too, as research has shown that if you spend all of your time trying to find a perfect solution then you will end up breeding disappointment. When you have found some solutions, you need to set yourself some deadlines. Don’t get discouraged if the first solution that you came up with ends up leading to disappointment. Try another one and move on. 

Change the Way You See the Situation

If you have lost your job then you can see the situation as the fact that you can no longer pay your bills and that you may be struggling to keep a roof over your head. With that being said, it’s not really about that. Now, it may be that you end up exploring new opportunities and that you find a job that allows you to work from home and that gives you the confidence you need to advance down a new career path. This may end up bringing you even more money, which could change your life. If you look at things from this kind of perspective then it is easy to see how you can change a negative situation into a positive one. If you want to help yourself then one thing you can do is ask yourself how deep your worry is. At times, you may find that your imagination ends up taking you into different situations that may never end up developing. You also need to set aside worry time every single day. If you find that a negative thought comes to your mind then you have to tell yourself that you are going to wait until the set time. By that point, you may find that you end up with the situation you’re worried about, never developing. You may also find that when it comes down to it, you don’t end up worrying at all.

It is also a good idea for you to see difficult times as being a chance for you to learn and grow. You may also find that they end up helping you to improve your situation. It may be that you have seen how supportive your friends are, or that they have seen how strong you can be in the face of difficult times.

Talk it Out

If you are going through a tough time then one of the best things you can do is talk it out. When you do talk it out with someone who you know or can trust then this will help you to move past the tough time you are going through. You may also find that talking it out helps you to see things from a different perspective, which can be a very good thing if you are going through a tough situation. If you find it hard to just call up a friend and tell them everything then this is understandable. One thing you can do is invite a friend out for coffee and simply catch up. Eventually, you may get into the deeper things that are going on in your life. On the flip side, you may not, but either way if you want to help yourself then talking it out is one of the best things you can do to benefit yourself.

Distract Yourself

When you are going through a tough time, you may find that it is easy to fall into bad habits and for you to start doing things that are out of character. This is understandable, but one thing you can do to try and help yourself is to avoid this. You need to find positive outlets that give you the chance to grow, and that allow you to focus on becoming a better version of yourself. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to come to terms with what you are going through. If you feel as though you can’t find a distraction then going out on a walk is one of the best things you can do. Getting out in nature gives you the chance to breathe and it also helps you to make the most out of your bad situation. If you can, try and set yourself challenges too. One thing that some people find motivating is to buy a fitness watch. When you have something like this, you may find that you can lose a few pounds and that you have the opportunity to try and better yourself and your physical health. Your physical health and your mental health are very much connected, and if you can take steps to improve one then you may find that the other ends up being improved too. If you find that you just need a bigger distraction then ask your friends if they fancy going out or taking yourself on a bit of a staycation. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to get the result you want out of your mental health and that you end up feeling better in no time at all.

So as you can see, working through a tough time can be difficult if you don’t have the right support network. You also need to make sure that you have the right support out there too. If you don’t then you may find that you end up struggling to keep up with your positive journey. Remember, that everything passes and that this tough time will pass too. If you can do this then you can easily give yourself some positive affirmations each day, which will go a long way when it comes to feeling better about yourself. If you can keep this in mind then you will soon be able to make a positive change.