Living is precarious, and everyone goes through the time of a crisis. But the journey of life is not completely unkind. The downfalls in life are the moments that can truly teach us our capacity. And most importantly, they pass.
Often we start to feel incapacitated, and unprepared when something unanticipated and disastrous occurs. In such times, we must remember that while we cannot change our circumstances, we can change our reaction to them.
During a crisis, we are at our most vulnerable, yet somehow we find the strength to carry on. And it is possible to equip yourself with some tools to cope with a crisis and manage your feelings.
Ways to cope with a crisis
Focus on your basic needs
In the time of a crisis, remember to take care of yourself. The bare essentials, such as breathing, eating your meals, getting adequate sleep are the most important. Focus on the needs of your body and this will help give you energy to get through your crisis.
Make yourself your first priority
Everything that you put out in the world starts from you. And very often, we forget to focus on our own needs. Take some time for yourself, and allow yourself to think about what you need. If you need that afternoon nap, do it for yourself.
Spend your energy in creative ways
Similar to how the body needs to relax, it also needs to expel energy to recharge itself. If you have been feeling anxious or restless, it is best to try to spend your energy – whether you go for a jog, or just a walk down the lane. If you are angry or upset, try to draw or write about it, allowing yourself to feel those emotions in productive ways.
Seek help
Sometimes it is also important to get another person’s perspective, or just their listening ear. Talk to your friends and family about your crisis, and let others in. Don’t be afraid of asking for help, you don’t have cope with your crisis alone.
Get in touch with a therapist
During a time of crisis, we can lose clarity. We spend a lot of time evaluating and examining our lives during and after a crisis. Taking some time out to reflect on your thoughts and feelings with a professional can help you ease back into our lives, and help you reconnect with yourself.
Remind yourself – that this will pass
During the time of a crisis, we often feel like our situation, or our pain will last forever. While it can take some time to heal, we do recover. It is important to remind yourself that all moments – especially the difficult ones – are transient.
You are stronger than you think. Life’s ups and downs affect everybody, but you must remind yourself of your own resilience and strength, and hold on to that.
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