2 months ago
We all experience adversity, be it bereavement, redundancy, ill health or divorce.
There will be times when life changes in a split second, leaving us feeling as if we’ve been shattered into a million pieces. During those times, it’s not always easy to see a way out and we often feel alone and confused as we attempt to work out way through.
Having experienced adversity myself, I know it’s possible to recover. I also know it’s possible to become a better person, living a better life as a result.
Having used the same strategy to re-build my life on not just one, but four occasions, I have a strong desire to share knowledge gained with others.
I believe that we all have the ability to live exceptional lives, and within adversity we can find the gifts to do this.
If you find yourself challenged by personal circumstances, then the 3 top tips listed below will help immensely:
Even during the worst possible time, it’s possible to be grateful. Focus on what you do have instead of what you have lost.
Focusing on what we don’t have or what we have lost creates more stress which affects our mental and physical health.
Use gratitude as a tool to lift your mood; this will also allow you to see your situation from a different perspective.
Through the eyes of gratitude we are more likely to feel hope, and to access our own solutions.
If you have lost someone close to you, then be grateful for the people that you have left.
If you find yourself experiencing ill health, then be grateful for the new connections that you make as a result.
If you lose your home and find yourself living in a tiny apartment, be grateful that you have got a roof over your head when many in the world do not have this privilege.
Allow your mind to take a break and find something new to do or concentrate on.
During times of personal challenge, it’s very easy to become very self-focused. Our thoughts about how we have been ‘affected’ can consume us and keep us in a negative frame of mind.
Finding something else to focus on, will distract your mind and allow your minutes, hours or days of freedom.
You may choose to focus on small things such as reading or cooking which will help short-term, but I also highly recommend finding something bigger to focus on.
Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby will help immensely. (If your immediate reaction to this is “I will wait until I feel better”, then ditch that thought. Focusing on other things is HOW you get better.
Helping others will help you. This tip is so simple, but often makes the biggest difference.
When we focus on helping others, we focus less on ourselves and find freedom from negative and overwhelming thoughts. The positive actions that we take will change our brain chemistry, so that we experience more positive feelings.
Studies repeatedly demonstrate that those who help others more often, tend to be happier.
Many of my clients choose to work with me as they are experiencing personal challenge; when then take this advice on board and CHOOSE to show more kindness and help others, their lives change dramatically.
Never underestimate the power of serving others.
For more tips on overcoming adversity and or to read my own personal story then check out my book: https://amzn.to/2JcyNJy
