Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
The reality is that not all days or moments of our lives will feel good or seem productive. However, we don’t always have a clear understanding of the whole picture and the positive things happening all around us. Sometimes not seeing clearly can give us a sense of emptiness or even despair. Just know that this is normal and all a part of being human on this planet.
You may be going through a tough time currently or maybe your plans didn’t work out as you had hoped or envisioned. These types of circumstances can leave you feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed. If you’re struggling to bounce back then learn how to respond when life gets you down so you can find peace and move forward during adversity. Here are just a few things you can do when life gets you down.
Address the Culprit
When life gets you down it’s important to not panic and breathe! Also, know that everything changes, so whatever it is will be different at some point. If you want to understand why something is happening or how you can move through it more effectively, you could address the culprit or the event that led to your interpretation. It may be that you lost your job, are going through a breakup, or you’re struggling financially. No matter what has happened, you can simply observe it and do what you can to make it better. What is out of your control, however, is better accepted as is until something changes. This simple act has a powerful way of bringing instant peace in the middle of chaos.
Avoid Self-Destructive Behaviors
It can be tempting to turn to coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol when things go crazy in your life. However, abusing these substances can often lead to more pain and suffering. This happens because self-destructive behaviors can cause you to make poor decisions going forward. The truth is that drugs and other substances are toxic to the body, addictive, and affect the brain in negative ways. When life gets you down, it’s best to engage in anything that helps you to feel happy and alive. Self-care activities and being kind to yourself are examples that help you heal and think clearly about what your next move will be.
Practice Gratitude
Another way to respond when life gets you down is to practice gratitude and focus on the positives. This is an excellent way to rewire your brain to change negative patterns that have been thriving off of unresolved trauma. I keep a daily gratitude journal that reminds me to always look for what is good in my life. Practicing my gratitude ritual every day helps me to start out with a peaceful outlook on the day. And, when something goes wrong, I pull it out and read my gratitude statements out loud. This creates an instant shift in my attitude and motivation to find joy.
Reach Out for Support
You don’t have to go through life’s low points and challenges all by yourself. Instead of holding all your feelings and problems in, find people whom you can trust to have your back. Reach out for support and let others in so they can help you see different perspectives that you didn’t see before. When life gets you down, it’s important to check in with yourself and your thinking. Additionally, learn how to talk it out when you don’t feel like it, so that you aren’t bearing all the weight that comes with experiencing life’s troubles. If you are really struggling to find balance again and need more support than you friends and family can give, don’t hesitate to find professional help.
Conclusion
You now have some tools and tips to help you get through the tough times life can bring about. Remember to take it day by day and live in the moment so you don’t get too caught up worrying about what may or may not happen in the future. It’s also helpful to remind yourself that the situation will change and life will go on.
