Our life can be one of the most amazing and stressful things in existence. Even for people who consider life to be “boring,” there are moments when we question what we are doing and where we are going.
Some of us can throw punches easily and the rest of us struggle to get out of bed when the going gets tough. Coping skills are not something we are born with, we have to learn them as we go along in life.
Today we are looking for ways to overcome and overcome obstacles without causing ourselves unnecessary stress.
Take a Break from Drinking
When the car breaks down and you lose your job right after your dog dies, it’s easy to grab a bottle and drink until you can’t feel it anymore. We get it, things get really hard and it’s a cheap way to numb the pain. Unfortunately for you, that can make your problem worse.
Alcohol is a depressant which means you may have trouble walking (possibly causing you to fall and end up in the hospital), be insulted to the point where you cannot speak clearly at all, and can make your emotions worse.
You can actually feel worse than when you first started. If you, or someone you love, has been drinking excessively during a difficult time, we recommend visiting alcohol detoxification center as soon as possible. Not only can they help you think clearly, they can also help you deal with your problems.
Grab a Moment of Peace
Meditation goes a long way in getting a little bit of peace in those dark times you’re having. Some people think it’s sitting cross-legged and shouting “OM” over and over. Meditation really is an act of slowing down, relaxing, and being in the moment.
When things are tough, we tend to spend a lot of our time rushing through our to-do lists and how things can go wrong and you can never get past this. Meditating allows us a few moments of silence to feel our heartbeat and listen to the rhythm of our breathing.
You can do it sitting or lying down. You can use guided meditation CDs, listen to meditations on YouTube, or attend classes that help you learn the art of meditation. A good friend has a meditation cd in his car that he listens to while driving. He has reported less frustration while driving and feeling more relaxed.
Focus on Taking Care of Your Body
Self care can come in many ways. This can be as simple as getting out of bed to make sure you are working for the day. Taking the time to get out of bed, shower, and brush your teeth can feel like an act of Congress, but you’ll feel much better physically for doing it.
The longer we lie in bed or go without cleaning and it compresses how bad we feel. Eating can also be a chore! A friend has trouble eating every time a loved one walks by. He found that even if he only took a mouthful, he felt better and it increased his desire to eat over time.
The longer he went without food, he began to feel physically sick to endure his mental stress. Eat! It doesn’t matter what it is or how often, just put something in your body.
Speak up
Talking about our emotions and struggles can be very difficult for many of us. We face social stigma, shame, and guilt when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and expose our true selves. Trusted friends always help in times of crisis! If opening up to your friends feels like too much, see a therapist.
Don’t worry about what they will think, they have heard it all. They are trained to help us process our worries, develop healthy coping skills, and can recommend medication if you need help.
Each of us struggles sometimes! Many of us wear masks and pretend that everything is fine. Now it’s time to take care of you.
