You Got This!
Unfortunately, we can’t see the future. While we can do our best to build habits and stick to routines that give us structure, sometimes, things happen that we can’t control. Whether it’s a breakup, global pandemic, loss of a job, death of a loved one, or something else, this can be very jarring and difficult to deal with. Luckily, there are ways to manage these sudden life events. Today, we are going to examine some methods to better cope with unexpected changes.
Be Mindful of Your Emotions
The first step to managing emotions is identifying them. If an unexpected event or life change has happened to you recently, take a moment to sit with your feelings and figure out what they are. One way this can be helpful is by relating your current situation to something you’ve experienced previously. Remember how you’ve effectively managed stress, sadness, anger, or whatever you may be feeling in the past, and implement it into your present circumstance.
Seek Support
A support system is essential for happy and sad times and everything in between. It’s great to have someone who can celebrate your happiness alongside you and get you through the more challenging, unprecedented times too. You may seek support from a close friend, partner, or family member. Of course, we also recommend visiting with a mental health professional. Therapy may sound intimidating, but it can be beneficial for many people. At The Collective, we offer many different types of treatment that are geared toward a variety of needs.
Find Control
You may not have had control over a recent event, but there are still aspects of your life in which you can find control. While your schedule may be busy, you should still have time to fit something as simple as a breathing exercise into your day. This can help you find calm, even if it’s only for a moment. Along the same lines, yoga is a wonderful practice that allows you to have time to focus on your body and mind. We even offer yoga therapy at The Collective! While you can’t control everything in your life, there are certain elements you can, which can be a constructive way to realize your autonomy. Just remember, it’s important to find control in healthy habits. Breathing exercises and yoga are just two examples of non-destructive behaviors that can help you find control and, potentially, help to improve your mood as a result.
Take It Slow
As much as we would love for it to be true, you can’t just snap your fingers and be back to ‘normal.’ Working through mental health struggles can be a process, and it’s important to be kind to yourself. Take things day by day, or even minute by minute, if you need to. Breaking complex feelings, emotions, or thoughts into smaller pieces can be a very helpful way to manage your struggles. Try not to compare yourself to others or feel down if one method of coping doesn’t work for you. Remember that you are an individual, and your needs will differ from the needs of others. Take your time and show yourself love and patience.
Life can be tough, but we’re here to help. If you have recently gone through an unexpected change in your life and are struggling with coping, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Collective. Our mental health experts are here to help you find the peace and happiness you deserve.
