How You Can Get Through the Hard Days, One Step at a Time

Have you ever hit a wall because of too much stress or one too many curveballs? You're not alone. Hard times are real, they're tricky to work through and they can appear without warning. However, life doesn't really present much of an option for hiding away until the hard times pass. Sure, you can become one with your sweats, your couch and your streaming service, but that only works for so long. What's important here is knowing how to manage these rough periods, even if it means just taking life one step at a time, one day at a time. Even though everyone's situations are different, it's important to keep some tricks up your sleeve for the next time you're feeling down and out. Keep reading to see if these suggestions resonate, and don't forget to use them.

Be Mindful of How You Start Your Day

What's the first thing you do in the morning? Do you have a habit of pushing the snooze button more than you probably should, only to end up late as a result? Do you immediately check in with social media or attempt to catch up with work emails? This may come as no surprise, but doing any of these types of things when life is tough won't do you any favors.

It's important to be mindful of the most influential parts of your day. What you do within the first few minutes of waking will set the tone for your day, so pay attention. If the first thing you feel when you open your eyes is a sense of dread, anxiety or a lack of inspiration, it's time to make a change. Resisting the urge to check your phone first thing will help you ease into your day with more grace. Make it a point to focus on yourself by intentional breathing, stretching or exercising. Enjoy your morning cup of coffee and do it slowly. Listen to a motivational podcast such as win the day that will give you the confidence to keep going, to make it through whatever's coming.

Take note of how you feel after making these adjustments to your routine. Be as consistent as possible once you find one that works the best for you, because knowing what to expect and when is very comforting all in itself. Keeping a journal is very therapeutic and is a perfect way to track your thoughts, feelings and mood patterns. It's also a good way to look back on your progress, which is helpful especially when you might feel anything but confident.

Identify What Is (and Isn't) in Your Control

When you're dealing with hard times, it can seem like everything is completely out of your control. The good news is that's not always the case — but it will take some effort on your part to evaluate the situation and determine what about it you can control and what you do have influence over. Establishing these two things will undoubtedly give you a boost of confidence and hope; two things that are very beneficial for this type of situation. Once you're able to look as objectively as possible at what's happening, you'll find that addressing what you can do will be a stepping stone to getting through each day.

If you're a worrier, it's essential that you give yourself permission to stop worrying or to actually schedule a period of time when you allow yourself to do it. This takes time and there's no guarantee that it will stick, but the more you do it and work within yourself, the easier it will become.

In the middle of hard times, be kind to yourself and remember that everybody has them. Most importantly, look out for yourself and do whatever you can to face your challenges in a confident and healthy way.