21 Jan What to do when you feel hopeless
via Happiful by Katherine Wheeler
Follow these tips to harness pockets of positivity when you’re going through periods of helplessness
We all feel hopeless every now and then – whether it stems from anxiety about things that are out of our hands, or in situations where the challenges seem immense.
It almost feels like an understatement to say that 2020 has been a year full of challenges that are out of our hands. As reports continue to show the emotional impact of lockdown and COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that we take steps to look after our mental health. But beyond that, there are many situations in our everyday lives that can leave us feeling hopeless and frustrated, heightening our anxiety and dominating our thought cycles.
So, what can you do when you’re faced with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness?
1. Try to think logically
This is always easier said than done, but take a moment to consider all of the facts. Can you identify what it is specifically that’s making you feel hopeless? Once you’ve done that, consider the way that this situation is affecting your life, and then assess what you can do to address those effects. For example, perhaps you are due to do something you don’t want to do, but have to, for whatever reason. You feel stressed and anxious about doing it. You can’t do anything to change the fact you have to go ahead with it, but you can take steps to alleviate the associated emotions.
2. Talk it out
The old saying, ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’, is something that is so relevant when it comes to taking care of our mental health. Whether your sense of hopelessness stems from something you’re going through in your personal life, or from a wider situation, it’s still a feeling that a lot of us will have experience with, and talking out what you’re going through with others can help us process what’s going on in our minds – and let’s us know that we’re not alone. Reach out to a loved one in your life, or join online communities such as the SANE support forum…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE