It’s inevitable that we will all experience hardships at various times in our lives. No matter who you are, losing a loved one, a job, or going through another difficult time can be seriously taxing to your physical and mental health. Knowing how to cope with these issues can stop you from completely self destructing, but it takes self awareness and a knowledge of what to do beforehand. Below, you’ll find 10 coping strategies for hard times that could help you in your time of need:
1. Reach Out To A Friend You Can Trust
Start by figuring out if there’s a friend you can reach out to and talk to about how you are feeling. You can’t trust everybody with your feelings, unfortunately. There are many people who care about you and even love you, but they are not always going to have the capacity to take on what you’re going through and help you.
If you think there’s somebody who can help you, reach out but make sure you ask them if they are in a place to help you first. Even if you’re just asking for validation and emotional support, this can feel like a big deal to another person. If you don’t have a friend you want to speak to, then you may need to reach out to a professional. Many people turn their noses up at professional help, believing they should deal with things alone. However, counselors, therapists, and other mental health professionals can help you to sort through your feelings, understand yourself better, and come up with ways to move forward.
2. Start Journaling
Journaling is almost a form of therapy in the way that it helps you to get things out of your head. If there’s somebody you wish you could speak to but you can’t, write them a letter but don’t send it. If you’re struggling to work out how you feel about something, just write and don’t edit yourself. Writing in any way can be a cathartic experience. You don’t need to be a journalist or an author to write and get enjoyment and benefits from it.
3. Take Some Time Off From Regular Life
If you need time off, then ask for it. Transparency is key. Speak to your boss and see if you can take some time. See if you can get help caring for your pets or kids. Take yourself away for a few days. Whatever you do, don’t try to carry on when carrying on feels like the last thing you want to do.
4. Take Care of Your Physical And Mental Health
Looking after your physical and mental health is crucial at this time, even though it might feel like the last thing you want to do. Try to stay active, get plenty of sleep, and eat your vitamins and nutrients. Take supplements if you need them. Many people swear by CBD oil to reduce anxiety and improve other hopeless feelings, but you should do lots of research to ensure whatever you want to use is right for you.
5. Get Some Exercise
Staying active can be tough, but even a little bit of physical activity each day can clear your mind and help you to feel better.
6. Acknowledge And Feel Your Feelings
Don’t try to push your feelings away or mask them. Acknowledging them and feeling them is how you move through them.
7. Ask For Help If You Need It
If you need help, whether that’s someone to help take care of your kids or do some food shopping for you, then ask. You don’t need to be superhuman and do everything alone.
8. Try To Stay In The Present
Worrying too much about what you should have done to prevent the situation or what’s going to happen in the future is no good for your mental health. Try to bring yourself back to the present when you catch yourself having these thoughts.
9. Limit The Time You Spend With Toxic, Unsupportive People
Not everybody is good for you. Somebody doesn’t need to be ‘bad’ or ‘evil’ to be a toxic friend or person. Try to become more aware of those who drain your energy and limit the time you spend with them.
10. Remember That Everybody Heals Differently
Do not compare yourself to anybody else. You’re on your own journey, and you need to feel and process your feelings and thoughts alone. You won’t heal in the same time frame or way as somebody else.
