It's no secret that life throws us curveballs from time to time. Whether it's relationship struggles, work stress, health issues or other obstacles, we all experience challenging times.
I'm personally going through a challenging time as we are waiting for our home renovation to be completed. We sold our old house so now we are in limbo between an extended stay hotel and the new house which is under construction. It's (literally) unsettling not knowing where are your possessions are and trying to get the kids ready for camp amidst all the chaos. So I wanted to share some helpful tips for navigating tough times, whatever those may look like for you.
It's important during these periods that we make our own well-being and self-care a priority.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY'S SIGNALS. When stress hits, pay attention to how your body responds. Are you getting headaches, stomachaches or feeling constantly tired? Your body tries to tell you when it's time to slow down. Make relaxing activities like meditation, yoga or a calming walk part of your routine when things feel overwhelming.
SET BOUNDARIES AND SAY NO. It's easy to take on more than we can handle when life gets hard. But overcommitting will only drain your energy reserves faster. Learn to politely decline requests that don't serve your needs. You don't owe anyone explanations - your health comes first.
PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION. Be gentle and forgiving with yourself during challenging periods. We all struggle at times. Say encouraging things to yourself you'd say to a good friend. Remind yourself that you're doing the best you can with what you have.
CONNECT WITH OTHERS. Reach out to trusted friends and family for support. Even just talking through what's on your mind can help alleviate burdens. Consider joining a local support group as well if you're facing larger issues alone.
REST WHEN NEEDED. Lack of sleep only exacerbates stress levels. Make getting adequate, quality rest a priority. It's okay to scale back obligations to carve out time to relax and recharge. Your productivity will benefit in the long run.
MOVE YOUR BODY. Exercise is nature's stress reliever. Find activities you enjoy like walking, yoga, dancing or sports. Movement boosts endorphins and creates space from concerns nagging your mind. Aim for 30 minutes daily when time allows.
CELEBRATE SMALL WINS. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by large problems. Notice little accomplishments like finishing tasks, talking to a friend or getting enough sleep. Appreciate yourself for facing difficulties head on and succeeding each day.
I hope these tips provide some guidance on caring for your well-being during hardships. These are all things I'm working on fitting in for myself.
Remember that you've gotten through difficult periods before, and this too shall pass. We can do hard things.
Let me know if you have any other questions! Wishing you all the best.
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