Assess your situation and your needs: meditation and breathing exercises are great, but when we've forgotten to eat food or drink water, they might not be top priority. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, teaches us how to prioritize our needs . It's hard to want to meditate when there isn't any food in your house. Take inventory of your life. Figure out the parts that are working, and the parts that are not. Once you know what isn’t working, Maslow’s is a good way to sort out what to do first.
Connect with resources: some of us have communities, families, friends, etc that we can reach out to for help, and some of us do not. There are many private and public organizations built for people with your exact needs. There may be non-profit organizations and organized communities near you designed for your specific needs. If you qualify for financial assistance, do not wait to utilize these systems to help you get back on track. If we are struggling, it is worth a Google, to see if there are programs you can take advantage of in your area.
Set goals: SMART goals are a good way to identify what you can do about a situation. Setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound is a good way to keep yourself on track without getting overwhelmed. Start small to experience big long-term change. Goal setting helps us to clear our minds. Once we have organized the big picture into our next step, we can set down the whole problem to focus on smaller parts at a time. A lot of our overwhelm can come from holding on to too many tasks in our brains at a time. Goals help us get the ball rolling (even if slowly at first) and to stay on track.
Build a community: It is difficult to handle stress when we feel lonely or that no one understands our situation. Depending on your struggle, you might want to connect with others who can relate. Sometimes the very experience of not feeling alone can relieve stress. Some of the stress we feel is generated by our own unrealistic expectations. Connecting with others who have similar challenges can help us to adjust those expectations. We can see that we are not failing, and others are exactly where we are. Additionally, pooling resources with others who have similar needs is a great way to both give and receive support. Team up, and use less energy.
Incorporate more joy into your life: Life can be good even when it is hard. If you are stressed and it has been that way for some time, what do you risk In taking a break? Can you lean into your hobbies once a week? Can you sing in to music you love on your commute to work? Can you find ways to practice gratitude every day? Can you invest in laughter and play in some way? We often tell ourselves we can't put down our stress until the problem is solved, but enduring stress for too long of a time just results in burnout, and lower productivity anyway. While taking breaks can boost efficiency.
These tips may not work for everyone. Your situation is unique to you. Troubleshooting ways to cope with stress can be hard to do alone. Therapy can help! If you are finding yourself unable to find the motivation to make any changes, you may be in a state of depression. Consider meeting with a professional as soon as possible to discuss how you have been feeling. Medications are not the answer for everyone, but if you are stuck and have been for some time, know that help is available to you. If you have noticed that you are having frequent thoughts of giving up or a lack of desire to live, you are experiencing suicidal ideation, and should contact a mental health professional immediately. The national suicide prevention hotline is a service, free of charge, and available to anyone, 24/7. Call #988 if you could use someone to talk to, and cannot wait for an appointment with a professional. Stress can lead to hopelessness, and hopelessness is often a dangerous place for the human mind. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless, please get connected with someone who can help.
This article was written by Dazholi "DD" Love, MFTC. DD has been practicing relational therapy for three years. If you are seeking counseling in the Grand Junction, Western Slope and Mesa County areas, you may contact DD by clicking this link here.
DD Love, MFTC
640 Grand Ave,
Grand Junction, CO 81507
(970) 852-0687
Available Monday - Wednesday from 9am-7pm, Fridays from 9am-12pm (in-person and online)
*Offers LGBTQ+ affirming relational therapy, youth counseling, and divorcing and separating well counseling.
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