Have you ever felt like things are becoming too difficult for you and happiness seems like a far-fetched concept? We can relate. It’s one thing to be happy, but it’s an entirely different thing to stay happy, especially during trying times.
Fortunately, there are ways you can cope until you reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Here’s how you can navigate a stormy period.
Replace “To” with “For”
You may have asked yourself, “Why is this happening to me?” when you come across a difficult
situation. But your entire perspective can change if you replace the word “to” with “for” and ask
yourself, “Why is this happening for me?”
Everything that you experience is destined to be for your betterment, including the trials. Have you ever noticed how an athlete is trained for an Olympic marathon? The coach will ensure that the athlete goes through the most rigorous of exercises and training just to ensure that they’re ready for anything that happens on the day of the competition.
In the same way, seeing challenging times as an opportunity to bring forth our hidden capabilities can be life changing. Not only do these moments serve as excellent teachers, but they also instill resilience and tolerance in us.
Surround Yourself with Positive Company
Having the right kind of people around you can be very useful in weathering the storm. Whether you need advice or just want to vent with a trusted friend or family member, your loved ones can help you relax and even end up laughing in that situation.
Not to mention that if you’re feeling overwhelmed, spending even a few minutes with people who have a positive outlook on life can raise your spirits and help you keep going.
Pause and Rethink What’s in Your Control
When you’re thrown in a difficult situation, it’s very easy to lose composure. Take a moment to breathe, pause and look at the things you can control and the things you can’t.
We spend most of our time trying to change people or situations that are not in our control. This is one of the primary reasons why we find it difficult to stay calm. The right approach would be to list down things you can do about.
Take Time Out to Exercise
Hearing the word ‘exercise’ may want to make you put it off. But the improvement that you’ll see in your mood after a workout or even spending time in nature will naturally be apparent.
The release of endorphins and dopamine will help reduce your stress levels and make you feel happier. It might even prompt you to take a fresher take on the situation and come up with a helpful solution to the problem at hand.
Reflect on All the Good Things That You Have
Our automatic response to stressful situations is to think about all the things that are going wrong. Think or write about the things you’re truly grateful for.
It could be a great group of friends, supportive parents, a place you call home, a healthy relationship with your spouse, opportunities to indulge in self-care, you name it.
Conclusion
In short, it all comes down to the attitude you have towards difficult situations. While it may be harder to stay positive in trying times, it is actually the most important aspect that we must take time out to nourish.