We all go through misfortune in our lives from time to time. Relationships dissolve, loved ones pass away, jobs are lost and other material losses happen. However, it’s how we cope with things that either elevate us to a higher understanding or spiral us downward into a sad and despairing place. Even if we’ve chosen to spiral down into a sad space in the past doesn’t mean we can’t chose differently next time.
Here are some tips how you can deal with misfortune in a healthy manner.
1- Be Resilient
People that are resilient take life’s ups and downs much easier than those who are so ridged and set in their ways. It is important to know that life is not always perfect or goes the way we want it to be. Both fortune and misfortune happen to us, sometimes even simultaneously.
It is up to us to realize that being flexible is necessary. By appreciating the ebbs and flows of life helps us knowing whenever there is a dark moment – there is always a moment of light coming afterwards.
2 – Self-Care
It is so easy to go into a slump when you are dealt a hand of misfortune or even worse, if it is a series of unfortunate events. Deciding to not do anything and wallowing in our sadness, fear, loss or whatever the misfortune was, is just too easy.
What is more important is that you do things for yourself that actually elevate you instead of reclining further into the “I don’t care” sort of attitude. Sure it isn’t easy, but the more you do it, the more you feel better and the faster you get your life back on track. When we are hit with things, it can strike us so hard that even dressing or showering daily may feel as the hardest task in the world – take time to do those things and even a step further, get up and take a walk around the block or spend some time outside for a bit, it will help you tremendously.
3 – Help Others & Open Your Heart
Too often when we are facing misfortune, we close ourselves off or shut down from others. Needless to say, it makes loneliness even worse.
It is so important for you to extend your hand towards others. In this case the support you give to them comes back to you eventually. Opening your heart does two things: it allows you to help others, and it allows others inside your heart. A closed heart is an unhappy one!
4 – Got to Love Humor
Even through the most difficult times in life humor can be brought into a situation. Laughter Yoga is a great example! Laughter Yoga is where you simply just let go of all the laughter in your body. It may seem weird at first, or even forced, but the laughter and happiness YEARNS to come out of you. So once you put yourself in that mode of laughter – it comes out in bursts and sometimes even joyful tears! If Laughter Yoga is not cut out for you, surround yourself with funny people, watch comedies and funny books. Most importantly – look for the humor in everything.
5 – Build a Network of Family/Friends
Most of the times, we isolate ourselves when misfortune occurs. Withdrawing yourself is OK for a short time to grieve as much as you need. Just remember that you need other people in your life. If you do not have a network of family or friends already, it’s high time you built one! Join groups or communities that share similar interests, you will be surprised how healing it is to be surrounded by others.
Written by StarleneB
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