Life can be tough. When things are going great, we rarely plan for the bad times. So when things start getting rough, we can often find ourselves unprepared.
Knowing how to deal with the challenges of daily living can leave you more prepared for the bad times. It can also give you greater peace of mind that you will be able to deal with the hard times when they come, and it can help you to get back on track sooner.
Here are some strategies that can help you to cope when things get tough.
Stop, Relax, Breathe
When things start getting too much, your first reaction should be to stop. Take a big, deep breath, and calm down. We often react badly when we are stressed and panicked, so taking some time to calm down can help you to get some perspective and decide on your next move.
Learn some breathing techniques that you can put into practice on a daily basis so that they become natural. Then when you do feel stressed or worried, you can apply them automatically.
Know that It’s OK to Feel Bad
It’s also important to be able to accept that feeling bad is not a bad thing in itself. Everyone feels bad from time to time, and accepting that you feel sad, disappointed, angry, or anything else, is a good place to start.
Sometimes there really is nothing that you can do to change a bad situation, and you just have to accept it. Accepting your own feelings in such a situation is essential.
Prepare in Advance
When a major event happens in life that is completely unexpected, we often do not know where to turn. It’s for that reason why it can be very sensible to find someone to turn to before the event happens.
For example, if you are involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may want to get legal advice. But in the moment, you may not know who to turn to. It’s therefore a great idea to find resources on what to do if you’ve been hurt in a traffic accident in advance so that when it does happen, you’ll know what to do.
Doing this is not being paranoid. It’s simply making sure that you are best prepared should you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation.
Focus on the Good Things
Sometimes it is easier said than done, but try to focus on the good things in your life when you are feeling down. Negative emotions can get the better of us, but there are usually many good things in your life that you can still enjoy.
Think about family, your home, friends, your health, or any of the other things that you may simply take for granted. Even the smallest thing can help when you are facing a rough time—so try to make the effort to be grateful for it.
Stay Social
Try not to become a recluse when you are facing hard times. You can get enormous strength from others, whether they are friends or family. Being social has many health benefits, and simply talking over your emotions can be a powerful coping mechanism.
You may also want to consider professional help from a therapist. If you have never been to one before, you may be surprised at how effective they can be.
Look After Yourself
This is a preventative measure, but it can also give you a head start when things go wrong. You can help to improve your coping mechanisms by looking after yourself properly through eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. So make the effort to look after yourself, and you’ll feel better for it.
Know that It Could Lead to Something Better
It’s hard to use this one until you’ve been through a negative experience, but the truth is that it really could lead onto something better. For example, you could lose your job and then go on to find an even better job that you would never have found otherwise. Or you could break up with your partner and then go on to find someone even more perfect for you.
It is impossible to know how things will work out, but challenging times in our lives very often lead to better times, so try to focus on this when you are feeling down.
Get Through the Bad Times
These are just some ideas for how you could get through the difficult times in your daily life. We all have ups and downs, so enjoy the good times and prepare yourself to deal better with the bad times when they come along.
Leo Morris works as a life coach, encouraging people to go after their dreams and enjoy life to the fullest. He gives motivational speeches and also writes articles for a variety of lifestyle websites.
