Life will always be full of challenges and unexpected situations, but if you allow difficult times to get the best of you, it can make you feel terrible. While adversity can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to sink into a depression, it’s important to maintain your emotional wellbeing, no matter what comes your way.
1. Pursue what’s fair
When a situation arises that causes you distress, anxiety, fear, or pain, and someone else has wronged you, pursue what’s fair in terms of remedy. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of or walked on because it will only make you feel worse and your mental health may spiral.
For example, if you get hurt on the job and are unfairly denied workers compensation, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney rather than making an attempt to resolve the situation on your own. You’ll need to go through the appeal process regardless, but having an attorney appeal for you comes with significant benefits. For instance, if you were unfairly denied in the first place, the insurance company will know they can’t get away with denying your appeal when your case is being handled by a lawyer.
Another benefit is being able to get better compensation. Even though a workers comp claim typically won’t pay out as much as a lawsuit, they will still lowball your settlement when you don’t have legal representation. For example, a typical L5-S1 injury settlement through workers compensation involves a herniated disc, and the payout can vary. However, you’ll have a better chance of recovering your maximum compensation with an attorney.
2. Establish consistent routines
When your life feels a bit chaotic, having a routine can bring some much needed stability into your life. The less you need to focus on, the better. A daily schedule will give you a sense of control and predictability when facing uncertainty and stress.
The best routines to develop include:
- Consistent sleep patterns. Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Eat regular meals. Don’t skip meals or forget to eat. Stay fueled throughout the day.
- Manage your finances. Manage your finances daily, especially if money is the source of your stress. You need to know where you stand – otherwise, the uncertainty will overwhelm you.
- Give yourself time to relax. Each day, spend time relaxing and unwinding.
If you have other obligations, work in some stable routines, so you don’t neglect your duties, but make them a predictable and reliable part of your day.
3. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness may mean different things to different people, but in general, it’s the art of being present with whatever you engage in at the moment. When using mindfulness for stress relief and relaxation, it’s typically done through meditation and breathing exercises, where you sit in a quiet space with your eyes closed and focus on your breath.
Mindfulness is an excellent form of self-regulation and will help to get you out of fight or flight mode, reduce the amount of stress hormones your body is producing, and help you feel more at ease. When you feel calm emotionally, you’ll be in a better position to make decisions and engage with your circumstances.
4. Cultivate a support network
If you don’t already have a support network, it’s never too late to start creating one. Having people you can go to for support is important and will help you get through even the hardest situations.
Reach out to people when you need support. You’d be surprised at how happy people will be to have the opportunity to support you.
5. Engage in physical activity
Physical exercise can do wonders for your mental and emotional health when your life feels a bit chaotic. Exercise is a natural mood booster and releases endorphins that make you feel great and relieve stress. It’s also a good way to eliminate tension and get better sleep.
6. Focus on what you can control
If you’re facing a tough situation that feels out of your control, focus more on what you can control. Directing your attention and energy toward what you can control will reduce anxiety about uncertainties and can help you accept that which you can’t change.
Be kind to yourself
Each challenging situation life presents is an opportunity to strengthen your emotional resilience. By taking action to keep stress levels low, and by being kind to yourself, you’ll be better equipped to face even the most challenging and uncomfortable circumstances.