6 tips to thrive during difficult times
Life throws us some interesting challenges sometimes. Sigh.
This post is intended to help you focus on your own patch, on things that are actually within your control, to be able to maintain your own mental health and happiness levels no matter the storm.
We’ve all experienced new levels of stress and learned new coping mechanisms in recent years, with the global pandemic and some shocking political shifts, war, and violence. It can be tough to keep a positive outlook when you see so much suffering and chaos.
Closer to home, a lot of workplaces are slowly returning to a full in-office work week. You may be finding it challenging to hang on to the great habits and routines you built working from home all this time.
Perhaps you’re experiencing grief, depression, or maybe a break-up.
For the big stuff, I always recommend talking to a therapist, but for everything else there are things you can do to stay on top of your happiness hygiene and combat stress, so it doesn’t hold you back from enjoying your life.
All self-care and habit building can be challenged with all of these emotions and distractions at play - so let’s explore some ways we can keep hold of our helpful behaviours no matter what trashfires you encounter.
1. Be vigilant about your ‘me time’
No matter what exciting plans you’re making, be sure to carve out and protect a good chunk of time every day to look after yourself. This can include meditation, journalling, time for exercise and stretching, or simply some quiet time with yourself. When was the last time you really connected with yourself?
2. Design your life, instead of being reactionary
It’s time to take the driver’s seat on the activities you want to participate in. It can be all too easy to just let others curate how you spend your time. Now’s your chance to really curate your social life, your fun, your learning, your adventures in your own style. What would your ideal day, week, month look like?
3. Say no, or set boundaries
You don’t have do anything or go anywhere you don’t want to. Sometimes we keep up plans or give away our time out of a feeling of obligation, and we only feel robbed or drained afterwards. There is no better time to set boundaries than right now. If you’re unsure about which situations you could edit out, check how you feel after all your plans and interactions. Depleted or fulfilled?
4. Fix up, look sharp
Trick your body and mind into feeling light and confident. Put your shoulders back and walk tall. Relax the muscles in your face and smile. Body language can be contagious, so bring some upright positivity to yourself and others. Do some yoga to straighten up, smile at strangers, wear some cheerful colours. One of my secrets is wearing high heels, they’re the antidote to slouching and make me feel statuesque.
5. Boost your nutrition
Coffee with a friend. Wine with colleagues after work. Eating ‘road food’ on the journey to your vacation rental. Sometimes without realising, when we relax into our social lives it can be quite a strain on our vitamin and mineral intake. Either the delicious drinks we’re having strip us of them, or the food we’re eating is a bit un-nutritious. Try to eat as many vegetables and fruit as you can whether it’s snacking, ordering a side salad, or having a daily green smoothie. I take gummy multivitamins every day (so tasty) and I love spray vitamins as well, for ease.
6. Hydrate
Because the human race are all more distracted and busy than ever before, we might also forget to hydrate ourselves. To feel great, hydrate! If optimum health isn’t reason enough for you to get into it, think of your skin. Doesn’t reading this make you want to reach for your glass of water?
Assess: How are your happiness levels right now?
What are some ways you’ve kept up good habits and routines that are still in place? Assess your overall vibe. Are you feeling fatigued or energised? Do you feel in tune with your body and mind, and overall goals?
Sometimes all it takes is figuring out where you’re at right now, in order to make a plan for where you’re going. All roads lead to happiness :)
I hope these tips help you feel more optimistic and ready to take on whatever life throws at you. When in doubt, take good care of yourself.
Jess xoxo
Want more inspiration and ideas to live a happier life? Subscribe to The Bright Life with Jess for more useful lifestyle tips and tricks, plus party planning ideas, organisation and list making, mindset hacks, and of course, entertainment.
