We all have struggles. Life is made up of highs and lows, never seeming to just stay high. I personally believe we experience the tough times so that we can learn to appreciate the great times. Events occur in our lives that make us question everything; a break up, a job loss, a death, a divorce, an accident, the list could go on. It’s easy to curl up in a ball, turn to unhealthy habits and let the hard times destroy you. What is difficult, however, is learning how to get though them in a healthy way.
I have had my fair share of hard times, as I am sure you have experienced as well. I have decided to come up with a list of top ten ways to help you get through a rough patch. Let’s get started, shall we?!
*This post is not to treat depression or give any sort of medical advice. I am not a doctor or a therapist. If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, I urge you to speak with your doctor. You are not alone.*
1. Go for a walk
Whenever I feel myself getting discouraged or feeling down, I go for a walk. It is particularly beneficial when you are in an argument or disagreement with someone. I believe walking is a great way to take a break from a situation, and come back with a clearer mindset. Getting some fresh air, listening to the sounds of nature, collecting your thoughts, all great ways to get through a hard time. Go to a local track, or google some trails close to you and get outside!
2. Read a Good Book
Books can be such a great way to escape reality for a little while. With so many genres to choose from, it’s almost impossible to not be able to find one you like. My personal favorite genre of books, is psychological thrillers. Something about the way they can pull you in, heart racing, pages flipping, so ready to get to the end, but also not wanting the book to be over.. love it. This is my favorite book I have read recently. I have also started sharing book reviews, you can check out my most recent one here!
3. Listen to Music
Whether you are having a bad day due to something major or something minor, (everything is relative) music can be a great way to work through it! Going through a separation? Put on some sad music, cry it out, then put on some “IDGAF” music to scream along to. I find it oddly comforting to find a song that perfectly goes with how I am feeling. It’s as if it forces you to realize that you are not the only one that has felt the way you do.
4. Discover a Creative Outlet
Sometimes, it can become difficult to verbalize your thoughts and emotions. The inability to get out what you are feeling, can be difficult. Painting, drawing, playing an instrument, learning a type of dance, etc! This can be a fun way to show many kind of emotions in a healthy way! You don’t have to be good at any of these things for them to help. I personally am an awful painter, however, I find it extremely calming.
5. Write
I could have added this one in with number four, but I felt it deserved its own section. Writing is another wonderful way to get all of your feelings out in the open. You could try writing poems, a song, a letter or even just keep a journal to help you get through all of the feelings you are experiencing. As hard as it might be to look back on some of the pieces you have written during the hard times, it can be a great way to see how far you’ve come. This is my favorite journal right now.
6. Create a Healthy Morning Routine
This one sounds odd, but hear me out. Small actions like making your bed, taking 15 minutes to sip your morning coffee or tea by yourself, or working out can have a huge impact on your day (no facts to back this up, just my opinion). I have found that when I start my day off strong, it seems to only get better and better. Same goes for if you start your day off poorly, it only seems to get worse, am I right?
7. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Sometimes when we experience hard times, we try to push down our feelings and repress our memories. While this may seem to help short-term, you are only hurting yourself in the long run. These emotions won’t stay bottled up forever, and by the time they all come bursting out, you may not be able to understand why. It is okay to feel sad, it’s okay to feel down, and hurt. Regardless of what society tries to teach us, it’s okay to feel! In fact, it’s healthy! The sooner you acknowledge your feelings, the faster you can come up with a plan for working through them.
8. Talk to Someone
Sometimes, all we need is for someone to listen to us talk. Someone we can confide in, share how we are feeling without worrying about being judged or belittled, someone who understands us. This person may be a friend, a relative, a co-worker, a spouse, a therapist, etc. Vocalizing your struggles to someone, whether they only listen or offer support and guidance, can help you work through the emotions you are feeling.
9. Take a Break
We live in a world that teaches us that work, school and other obligations come before our mental health. This is so far from the truth. We owe it to ourselves to make our mental health a priority. Take a day to do all of your favorite things, whether that means going for a drive, napping, eating junk food, binging your favorite show, etc., do it! We all deserve a break sometimes! Don’t feel bad for taking a mental health day to just be.
10. Accept What Is
A friend of mine always used to say to me [when experiencing a hard time] “can you control this situation? If the answer is no, good! There is nothing you can do to change it. If the answer is yes, then good! It should make you feel better to know you are in control of what happens next. Either way, you should feel relieved.” It took me years to finally learn this and live by it. Easier said than done, I know, but learning that you cannot always be in control can cause you to let go a bit.
When it comes to life experiences, there is not always a black or white answer. There is no magical way to make you forget about your struggles and get over them, sometimes, all we need is time. Again, I am not a medical professional, and I am not sharing any sort of professional advice. These are just some of the ways I have found help me get through tough situations.
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