Dealing With Discouragement
In life sometimes, we face challenges that can physically and mentally discourage us in our health journey. These setbacks can trigger feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression.
Often times, we blame ourselves and engage in self-sabotaging thoughts that impede our progress towards achieving our goal. This article explores various healthy coping mechanisms that can help you to overcome discouraging situations and turn it into meaningful striving.
Without warning, challenging situations can emerge in our lives. Resilience is a necessary skill to adapt to challenging situations much more positively during hard times. Different people cope and handle challenges very differently.
Building up the strength to overcome the challenges in our life takes a lot of courage and willpower. We may stumble, fall down and lose our sense of direction for a moment.
Here are some of the ways you can incorporate to build up that strength and resilience to rise back up:
1. Make connections
Stay connected with close family members, friends or others that believe and support you. Accepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you helps strengthen resilience.
2. Seeing challenges as an opportunity to grow
Obstacles and challenges are inevitable. Rather than seeing challenges as a threat, take it as an opportunity to help you grow, develop new skills and gain valuable life experience.
3. Move towards your goal
Create a list of small, realistic tasks every day that can help you move towards your desired goal. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem far-fetched and unachievable, ask yourself, "What's the one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the direction I want to go?"
4. Foster a positive view of yourself
Developing confidence and trust in your ability helps build resilience. Each time you wake up in the morning, say one positive thing to yourself. For example: “I am capable. I am determined. I am super motivated today!”
5. Maintain a hopeful outlook
An optimistic outlook enables you to expect that good things will happen in your life. Try to visualize what you want, rather than worrying about what you fear. Finding a sense of purpose will give more meaning to things that you are currently doing now to achieve your long-term goal.
